Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Also Known As
Mackerel, Chub mackerel, Tinker mackerel
Quick Facts
Weight
Up to 3.5 pounds
Length
Up to 22 inches
Lifespan
Approximately 8 to 10 years
Region
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Atlantic chub mackerel. Credit: Alessandro Duci
Atlantic chub mackerel. Credit: Alessandro Duci
About the Species
Atlantic chub mackerel are a schooling pelagic species that are found on the continental shelf to depths of about 250 to 300 meters throughout much of the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic, their range spans from Nova Scotia (where they are rare) through Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico.
Migratory patterns in the western North Atlantic are also not well understood. In the northern hemisphere, chub mackerel migrate between northern areas in warmer months and southern areas in cooler months. Adults prefer temperatures of 60 to 70°F. Some studies suggest that juveniles tend to be found closer inshore than adults.
Population
The population level is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Overfishing status is unknown, but catch is at recommended level.
Habitat Impacts
Area closures and gear restrictions protect habitat that are affected by some types of trawl gear.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Population Status
Atlantic chub mackerel has never been assessed and the population status is unknown. Fishing level recommendations were recently put into place.
Appearance
- Atlantic chub mackerel are elongated and streamlined with deeply forked tails.
- They have small spines on the dorsal fin.
- They are silvery in color, with greenish-blue backs. The upper surfaces have dark zigzagging stripes, and the bellies are pale and marked with wavy lines.
Biology
- Atlantic chub mackerel grow up to 22 inches long and 3.5 pounds.
- They have a life span of up to about 7 years.
- They mainly feed on small crustaceans called copepods and tiny aquatic animals known as wheel animals or rotifers.
Where They Live
Range
- Atlantic chub mackerel in the western Atlantic Ocean range from Nova Scotia (where they are rare) through Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico.
- They are a schooling pelagic species that are found on the continental shelf to depths of about 250–300 meters throughout much of the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean.
Habitat
- Atlantic chub mackerel are a schooling pelagic species.
- They are found on the continental shelf to depths of about 250–300 meters throughout much of the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean. They can be found throughout U.S. Atlantic waters.
- Most Atlantic chub mackerel catches in offshore surveys occur south of the Hudson Shelf Valley in warm waters.
- State trawl surveys and recreational catch data suggest that Atlantic chub mackerel are also found in inshore waters.
Fishery Management
-
NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the Atlantic chub mackerel fishery.
-
Managed under the Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan:
-
Atlantic chub mackerel was added to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan in 2020.
-
Atlantic chub mackerel was added to the FMP after a directed commercial fishery developed in federal waters. Due to that, and other considerations, the Council concluded that this species is in need of specific conservation and management measures of its own.
-
Atlantic chub mackerel are managed in federal waters. There are no state management measures for mackerel.
-
Managed using annual catch limits allocated between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
-
Managers monitor commercial catch on a weekly basis and will close the fisheries if the limits are reached before the fishing season is over.
-
Fishermen must have a Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish permit to harvest Atlantic chub mackerel.
Harvest
- Commercial Fishery
- In 2021, commercial landings of Atlantic chub mackerel totaled 37,000 pounds and were valued at $24,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database.
- Most commercial vessels fishing for Atlantic chub mackerel are participants in the shortfin squid fishery.
- Bottom trawl gear is used to catch Atlantic chub mackerel.
- Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
-
Many habitat areas in the Atlantic chub mackerel fishery have been impacted by fishing activities over many years.
-
There are gear restricted areas in place for shortfin squid vessels, designed to protect essential fish habitat.
-
There are mesh size and other restrictions for shortfin squid vessels but no specific gear restrictions for Atlantic chub mackerel.
-
Recreational fishery:
-
In 2021, recreational anglers landed 195,000 pounds of Atlantic chub mackerel, according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database.
-
Recreational catch is monitored and included in annual catch levels.
-
Commercial vessels must possess a charter party permit in order to possess Atlantic chub mackerel.
-
There are no size or gear limits for the recreational fleet.
- Atlantic chub mackerel in the western Atlantic Ocean range from Nova Scotia (where they are rare) through Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico.
- They are a schooling pelagic species that are found on the continental shelf to depths of about 250–300 meters throughout much of the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean.
- Atlantic chub mackerel are a schooling pelagic species.
- They are found on the continental shelf to depths of about 250–300 meters throughout much of the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean. They can be found throughout U.S. Atlantic waters.
- Most Atlantic chub mackerel catches in offshore surveys occur south of the Hudson Shelf Valley in warm waters.
- State trawl surveys and recreational catch data suggest that Atlantic chub mackerel are also found in inshore waters.
Fishery Management
-
NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the Atlantic chub mackerel fishery.
-
Managed under the Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan:
-
Atlantic chub mackerel was added to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan in 2020.
-
Atlantic chub mackerel was added to the FMP after a directed commercial fishery developed in federal waters. Due to that, and other considerations, the Council concluded that this species is in need of specific conservation and management measures of its own.
-
Atlantic chub mackerel are managed in federal waters. There are no state management measures for mackerel.
-
Managed using annual catch limits allocated between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
-
Managers monitor commercial catch on a weekly basis and will close the fisheries if the limits are reached before the fishing season is over.
-
Fishermen must have a Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish permit to harvest Atlantic chub mackerel.
-
Harvest
- Commercial Fishery
- In 2021, commercial landings of Atlantic chub mackerel totaled 37,000 pounds and were valued at $24,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database.
- Most commercial vessels fishing for Atlantic chub mackerel are participants in the shortfin squid fishery.
- Bottom trawl gear is used to catch Atlantic chub mackerel.
- Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
-
Many habitat areas in the Atlantic chub mackerel fishery have been impacted by fishing activities over many years.
-
There are gear restricted areas in place for shortfin squid vessels, designed to protect essential fish habitat.
-
There are mesh size and other restrictions for shortfin squid vessels but no specific gear restrictions for Atlantic chub mackerel.
-
-
Recreational fishery:
-
In 2021, recreational anglers landed 195,000 pounds of Atlantic chub mackerel, according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database.
-
Recreational catch is monitored and included in annual catch levels.
-
Commercial vessels must possess a charter party permit in order to possess Atlantic chub mackerel.
-
There are no size or gear limits for the recreational fleet.
-
Commercial Fishing Regulations
Atlantic Chub Mackerel Measurement Unit
Measures implemented by this action apply to Atlantic chub mackerel caught by vessels fishing in the Atlantic Chub Mackerel Management Unit (federal waters from Maine through North Carolina).
Projected 2021–2022 Atlantic Chub Mackerel Specifications
| Specification | Application | Metric Tons | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overfishing Limit | ME–FL (East Coast) | 3,026 | 6,671,188 |
| Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) | 2,300 | 5,070,632 | |
| Optimum Yield | |||
| Maximum Sustainable Yield | |||
| South Carolina to Florida (East Coast) Catch Deduction | SC–FL (East Coast) | 38.3 | 84,500 |
| Annual Catch Limit (ACL) | ME–NC | 2,261.7 | 4,986,132 |
| Management Uncertainty Deduction (4 percent) | 90.5 | 199,445 | |
| Annual Catch Target (ACT) | 2,171.2 | 4,786,687 | |
| Discard Estimate Deduction (6 percent) | 130.3 | 287,201 | |
| Total Allowable Landing (TAL) | 2,040.9 | 4,499,486 |
All Atlantic chub mackerel catch counts against one annual catch limit; there is no separation of catch limits between the commercial and recreational fisheries. Specifications could be set up for three years at a time and will be reviewed annually. The acceptable biological catch, management uncertainty, discard estimate, and expected catch from South Carolina through Florida can be adjusted each year through the specifications process.
Image
Possession Limits and Accountability Measures
Amendment 21 implemented the Atlantic chub mackerel possession limits outlined below. Initially, possession will be unlimited. To prevent the annual catch target from being exceeded, we will implement a 40,000-lb possession limit when 90 percent of the total allowable landing is landed and a 10,000-lb possession limit once 100 percent of the TAL is landed.
| Possession Limit | Metric Tons | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| When 90 Percent of TAL Is Landed | 18.1 | 40,000 |
| When 100 Percent of TAL Is Landed | 4.5 | 10,000 |
If the annual catch limit is exceeded based on total commercial and recreational catch within the Management Unit, we will reduce the annual catch target by the amount of the overage as soon as possible in a future fishing year.
Reporting A Commercial Catch
Vessels and dealers must be issued a federal permit for any species managed by the FMP (Atlantic mackerel, Illex squid, longfin squid, or butterfish) to fish for, possess, land, sell, or purchase Atlantic chub mackerel caught in the Management Unit. An operator of a commercial vessel must also obtain and retain on board a valid operator permit issued by the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office.
Vessel operators must report the catch of Atlantic chub mackerel weekly on existing vessel trip reports (logbooks). This action does not change existing vessel monitoring system (VMS) declaration or daily reporting requirements. Vessel operators must continue to declare squid and mackerel trips via VMS and submit daily VMS catch reports when fishing for Atlantic mackerel, Illex squid, or longfin squid. Dealers purchasing Atlantic chub mackerel must report such purchases via existing weekly dealer reports.
Commercial Gear Information
- Bottom trawl gear is used to catch chub mackerel.
- Habitat and bycatch impacts:
- Many habitat areas within the footprint of the chub mackerel fishery have been impacted by fishing activities over many years
- There are gear-restricted areas in place for illex squid vessels, which primarily participate in the chub mackerel fishery. These restrictions protect essential fish habitat. There are also mesh size restrictions for illex squid vessels. There are no specific gear restrictions for chub mackerel as the primary participants in the EEZ are participating in the illex squid fishery, which as established restrictions.
Seafood Facts
Is Atlantic Chub Mackerel Sustainable?
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic chub mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild caught from Southern New England to the Gulf of Mexico.
Taste
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Texture
Soft, flaky, and moist.
Health Benefits
Chub mackerel is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1; Serving Weight: 100 g (raw); Calories: 205; Protein: 18.6 g; Total Fat: 13.89 g; Total Saturated Fatty Acids: 3.257 g; Carbohydrate: 0 g; Total Sugars: 0 g; Total Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Cholesterol: 70 mg; Selenium: 44.1 mcg; Sodium: 90 mgSeafood News
Seafood stall at Tuna Harbor Dockside Market in San Diego. Photo credit: Ron Batcher
NOAA Administrator, Dr. Richard Spinrad, and NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator, Janet Coit, with representatives from the Intertribal Agriculture Council at Seafood Expo North America 2023 in Boston. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Management Overview
A targeted commercial chub mackerel fishery developed in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England in recent years. Total coastwide landings (i.e., commercial and recreational) peaked at 5.25 million pounds in 2013 and averaged 2.88 million pounds per year during 2013 to 2015. Prior to 2013, landings did not exceed 500,000 pounds per year. After 2015, landings decreased and averaged 251,856 pounds per year for 2016 to 2018. The landings for 2020 were 56,918 pounds.
Image
The increase in landings during 2013 to 2015 compared to earlier years, as well as concerns about the potential role of chub mackerel in the ecosystem as a prey species, prompted the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to adopt an annual chub mackerel landings limit and a possession limit as part of the Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. These measures were implemented in September 2017 and were the first regulations for chub mackerel fisheries off the U.S. east coast. Those chub mackerel management measures expired after December 31, 2020. They were intended to be placeholder measures to be replaced by new measures developed through this amendment to make chub mackerel a stock in the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel Management Unit
Measures implemented by Amendment 21 apply to Atlantic chub mackerel caught by vessels fishing in the Atlantic Chub Mackerel Management Unit (federal waters from Maine through North Carolina).
Final 2020 and Projected 2021–2022 Atlantic Chub Mackerel Specifications
| Specification | Application | Metric Tons | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overfishing Limit | ME–FL (East Coast) | 3,026 | 6,671,188 |
| Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) | 2,300 | 5,070,632 | |
| Optimum Yield | |||
| Maximum Sustainable Yield | |||
| South Carolina to Florida (East Coast) Catch Deduction | SC–FL (East Coast) | 38.3 | 84,500 |
| Annual Catch Limit (ACL) | ME–NC | 2,261.7 | 4,986,132 |
| Management Uncertainty Deduction (4 percent) | 90.5 | 199,445 | |
| Annual Catch Target (ACT) | 2,171.2 | 4,786,687 | |
| Discard Estimate Deduction (6 percent) | 130.3 | 287,201 | |
| Total Allowable Landing (TAL) | 2,040.9 | 4,499,486 |
All Atlantic chub mackerel catch counts against one annual catch limit; there is no separation of catch limits between the commercial and recreational fisheries. Specifications could be set up for three years at a time, and will be reviewed annually. The acceptable biological catch, management uncertainty, discard estimate, and expected catch from South Carolina through Florida can be adjusted each year through the specifications process.
Possession Limits and Accountability Measures
Amendment 21 implements the Atlantic chub mackerel possession limits outlined below. Initially, possession will be unlimited. To prevent the annual catch target from being exceeded, we will implement a 40,000-lb possession limit when 90 percent of the total allowable landing is landed and a 10,000-lb possession limit once 100 percent of the TAL is landed.
| Possession Limit | Metric Tons | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| When 90 Percent of TAL Is Landed | 18.1 | 40,000 |
| When 100 Percent of TAL Is Landed | 4.5 | 10,000 |
If the annual catch limit is exceeded based on total commercial and recreational catch within the Management Unit, we will reduce the annual catch target by the amount of the overage as soon as possible in a future fishing year.
Permit and Reporting Requirements
Vessels and dealers must be issued a federal permit for any species managed by the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan, which covers Atlantic mackerel, Illex squid, longfin squid, or butterfish, to fish for, possess, land, sell, or purchase Atlantic chub mackerel caught in the Management Unit. An operator of a commercial vessel must also obtain and retain on board a valid operator permit issued by the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office.
Image
Vessel operators must report the catch of Atlantic chub mackerel weekly on existing vessel trip reports, or logbooks. This action does not change existing vessel monitoring system (VMS) declaration or daily reporting requirements. Vessel operators must continue to declare squid and mackerel trips via VMS and submit daily VMS catch reports when fishing for Atlantic mackerel, Illex squid, or longfin squid. Dealers purchasing Atlantic chub mackerel must report such purchases via existing weekly dealer reports.
Transit Measure
A vessel issued a federal commercial fishing permit from Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office that possesses Atlantic chub mackerel in excess of the allowed possession limits may transit the Management Unit if
- Atlantic chub mackerel was caught outside of the Management Unit.
- All gear is stowed and not available for immediate use.
Regulatory History
Chub mackerel was first federally managed under the Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment (MAFMC 2017a). Measures were implemented in September 2017 and are the first regulations for chub mackerel fisheries off the U.S. east coast (82 Federal Register 40721, August 28, 2017). Those current chub mackerel management measures expired after December 31, 2020. They were intended to be placeholder measures to be replaced by new measures developed through Amendment 21 to make chub mackerel a stock in the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Fishery Management Plan (FMP).