Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Quick Facts
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
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impact
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 2022, commercial landings of Atlantic chub mackerel totaled 15,000 pounds and were valued at $8,000, 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:
- 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 2022, commercial landings of Atlantic chub mackerel totaled 15,000 pounds and were valued at $8,000, 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:
- 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.
Recreational Fishing Regulations
There is no recreational possession limit for chub mackerel. If you are on a trip carrying paying customers and you possess chub mackerel in federal waters, you must hold a Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Category 2 Charter/Party Permit.
Reporting A Recreational Catch
Charter/Party and Recreational Reporting
Catch Reporting and Vessel Trip Reports
If the owner of a party or charter boat is issued only a charter/party permit, and is carrying passengers for hire, then they must complete a VTR for each trip on which they land any fish.
Interactive Voice Response System Requirements
The Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries do not have any IVR requirements. However, if you are participating in a research program such as research set-aside (RSA) or fishing with an exempted fishing permit (EFP), there are IVR requirements. Please refer to your RSA or EFP paperwork for instruction on using IVR.
Marine Recreational Information Program
The Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) is a system of coordinated voluntary data collection programs designed to estimate recreational catch and effort.
Commercial Fishing Regulations
Current Specifications
Fishery specifications apply to Atlantic chub mackerel caught by vessels fishing in the Atlantic Chub Mackerel Management Unit (federal waters from Maine through North Carolina). Specifications can be set up for three years at a time and are reviewed annually and adjusted as new information becomes available.
2024 and Projected 2025 Chub Mackerel Specifications in Metric Tons (mt)
Specification | 2024 | 2025 (Projected) |
Acceptable biological catch (ABC) | 2,300 | 2,300 |
Annual catch limit (ACL) | 2,262 | 2,262 |
Annual catch target (ACT) | 2,171 | 2,171 |
Total allowable landings (TAL) | 2,041 | 2,041 |
All Atlantic chub mackerel catch counts against one annual catch limit; there is no separation of catch limits between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
Possession Limits and Accountability Measures
Initially, possession of chub mackerel is unlimited. To prevent the ACT from being exceeded, NOAA Fisheries will implement a 40,000-lb possession limit when 90 percent of the TAL is landed, and a 10,000-lb possession limit once 100 percent of the TAL is landed.
| Possession Limit | Pounds |
| Initial | Unlimited |
| When 90 Percent of TAL Is Landed | 40,000 |
| When 100 Percent of TAL Is Landed | 10,000 |
If the ACL is exceeded based on total commercial and recreational catch within the Management Unit, we will reduce the ACT by the amount of the overage as soon as possible in a future fishing year.
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; and
- All gear is stowed and not available for immediate use.
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
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 has established restrictions. For more information about gear-restricted areas, please see the chub mackerel regulated, closed, and access areas webpage.
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 mgSustainable Seafood Recipes
Looking for a new seafood recipe or an old favorite? If you need some cooking inspiration, browse these seafood recipes for main dishes, appetizers, sides, and more!
Seafood News
Seafood on ice for display. Credit: Shutterstock
Mussel longline aquaculture. Credit: Darryl Torckler
Sablefish near the seafloor. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Regulated, Closed, and Access Areas
Atlantic Chub Mackerel Management Unit
The Atlantic Chub Mackerel Management Unit includes federal waters from Maine through North Carolina.
Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Restricted Areas
| Oceanographer Canyon | Lydonia Canyon | Northern Scup Gear Restricted Area (GRA) | Southern Scup GRA |
| January 1–December 31 | January 1–December 31 | November 1–December 31 | January 1–March 15 |
| Bottom trawl gear prohibited | Bottom trawl gear prohibited | Minimum mesh size of 5.0 inch diamond mesh | Minimum mesh size of 5.0 inch diamond mesh |
| Transit allowed if bottom trawl gear is stowed and not available for immediate use. | Transit allowed if bottom trawl gear is stowed and not available for immediate use. | Transit allowed if codends less than 5.0 inches are stowed and not available for immediate use. | Transit allowed if codends less than 5.0 inches are stowed and not available for immediate use. |
| Applies to all permitted mackerel, squid, or butterfish vessels | Applies to all permitted mackerel, squid, or butterfish vessels | Applies to all trawl vessels fishing for longfin squid, black sea bass, or silver hake (whiting) | Applies to all trawl vessels fishing for longfin squid, black sea bass, or silver hake (whiting) |
*Coordinates for each area are listed below.
Oceanographer and Lydonia Canyons
| Oceanographer Canyon Coordinates | Lydonia Canyon Coordinates | |||
| N. Lat. | W. Long. | N. Lat. | W. Long. | |
| 40°10.0' | 68°12.0' | 40°16.0' | 67°34.0' | |
| 40°24.0' | 68°09.0' | 40°16.0' | 67°42.0' | |
| 40°24.0' | 68°08.0' | 40°20.0' | 67°43.0' | |
| 40°10.0' | 67°59.0' | 40°27.0' | 67°40.0' | |
| 40°10.0' | 68°12.0' | 40°27.0' | 67°38.0' | |
| 40°16.0' | 67°34.0' | |||
Scup GRAs
| Southern GRA Coordinates | Northern GRA Coordinates | |||
| N. Lat. | W. Long. | N. Lat. | W. Long. | |
| 39°20' | 72°53' | 41°00' | 71°00' | |
| 39°20' | 72°28' | 41°00' | 71°30' | |
| 38°00' | 73°58' | 40°00' | 72°40' | |
| 37°00' | 74°43' | 40°00' | 72°05' | |
| 36°30' | 74°43' | 41°00' | 71°00' | |
| 36°30' | 75°03' | |||
| 37°00' | 75°03' | |||
| 38°00' | 74°23' | |||
| 39°20' | 72°53' | |||
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 landings) 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. 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.
How is the fishery managed?
The mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries are each managed by annual quotas, accountability measures, and possession limits by permits.
What is the fishing year for this fishery?
January 1–December 31
What are the different management areas for the mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries?
The management unit for these species is the Atlantic Coast, but these species are predominately prosecuted from Maine to North Carolina. The Atlantic Chub Mackerel Management Unit includes federal waters from Maine through North Carolina).
Management Plans
Mackerel, squid, and butterfish are managed in federal waters under the Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries.
Regulatory History
2017: Amendment 18 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. Implemented the first placeholder regulations for chub mackerel fisheries off the U.S. east coast. The chub mackerel measures expired on January 1, 2021, and were replaced by new measures implemented through Amendment 21. Final Rule.
2017: Framework 10 - Omnibus For-Hire Electronic Trip Reporting Framework implemented a requirement for vessels that hold party/charter permits for Council-managed species to submit vessel trip reports electronically (eVTRs) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire.
2018: Framework 11 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) limits for Council-managed fisheries; clarified that the Atlantic Bluefish, Tilefish, and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMPs will now automatically incorporate the best available scientific information in calculating ABCs (as all other Mid-Atlantic management plans do) rather than requiring a separate management action to adopt them; clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule.
2018: Amendment 20 - Squid Amendment reduced latent directed permits, created limited access incidental permits, and lowered Trimester 2 post-closure trip limit to 250 pounds to discourage directed fishing after closures. Final Rule.
2018: Framework 12 - Atlantic Mackerel Closure Provisions Framework allow the possession of 5,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest is caught instead of prohibiting the possession of Atlantic mackerel for the rest of the year. Final Rule.
2019: Framework 13 - Established a 5-year rebuilding plan for Atlantic mackerel, set 2019-2021 mackerel specifications, modified the Mid-Atlantic Council’s risk policy, and modified in-season closure measures for mackerel. Final Rule.
2020: Amendment 21 - Chub Mackerel Amendment established management of Atlantic chub mackerel through the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP. Final Rule.
2020: Framework 14 - Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for Mid-Atlantic and New England Council-managed species to submit eVTRs within 48 hrs after the conclusion of a trip. Final Rule.
2020: Framework 15 - Omnibus ABC and Risk Policy Framework modified the Mid-Atlantic Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. Final Rule.
2023: Amendment 23 - Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding 2.0 Amendment revised the rebuilding plan for mackerel, set 2023 mackerel fishery specifications, established a recreational possession limit for mackerel, and modified in-season closure measures for mackerel to include an initial closure with different thresholds based on time of year (before vs. on/after May 1) and a final closure when the fishery is close to harvesting the full commercial quota. Final Rule.