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Proceedings of the 2021 Trinational Sardine & Small Pelagics Forum (PDF, 37 pages)
Proceedings of the virtual 21st Annual Trinational Sardine and Small Pelagics Forum (TSF), hosted…
Pacific Mackerel
Pacific Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
Also Known As
Chub mackerel, Spanish mackerel
Quick Facts
Region
West Coast
About the Species
U.S. wild-caught Pacific mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Population
Above target population levels.
Fishing Rate
At recommended levels.
Habitat Impacts
The gear used to catch Pacific mackerel is used at the surface and has little impact on bottom habitat.
Bycatch
Bycatch is low because gear used is selective.
Population Status
- Pacific mackerel is not overfished (2019 stock assessment), and not subject to overfishing based on 2020 catch data. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
- Pacific mackerel naturally experience “boom and bust” cycles of abundance, which is typical of other small pelagic species that have relatively short life spans and high reproduction rates.
- The Pacific mackerel stock is well above its target population level. However, in historical terms, the population remains at a relatively low abundance level, due primarily to oceanographic conditions.
Appearance
- The body of the Pacific mackerel tapers at both ends.
- They have a pointy head and a large mouth.
- The head is dark blue, the back is dark blue with about 30 dark wavy lines, and the undersides are silver green.
- Pacific mackerel can be distinguished from other mackerel by counting the finlets on their back; Pacific mackerel typically have four to six finlets.
Biology
- Pacific mackerel grow fast, up to 25 inches and more than 6 pounds.
- They can live up to 18 years but are able to reproduce by age 4, and sometimes as early as age 1.
- They spawn at different times of the year, depending on where they live. Pacific mackerel spawn from late April to September off California, year-round off central Baja California peaking from June through October, and from late fall to early spring off Cabo San Lucas.
- They spawn several times a year, releasing batches of almost 70,000 eggs each time. The eggs usually hatch within 4 to 5 days.
- Pacific mackerel feed on plankton (tiny floating plants and animals) and the younger stages of all the pelagic species such as anchovies and sardines, as well as their own young.
- Various larger fish (such as sharks and tunas), marine mammals, and seabirds eat Pacific mackerel.
- Pacific mackerel school as a defense against predators. Often they will school with other pelagic species such as jack mackerel and sardines.
- As adults, they migrate north to Washington in the summer and south to Baja California in the winter. The northerly movement in summer is accentuated during El Niño events.
- They also travel inshore and offshore off California—they’re more abundant inshore from July to November and more abundant offshore from March to May.
Where They Live
- Pacific mackerel are found from southeastern Alaska to Mexico but are most common south of Point Conception, California.
Fishery Management
- NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Pacific mackerel fishery.
- Managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan:
- Catch limits are in place to end and prevent overfishing.
- Permits are needed to harvest Pacific mackerel.
- Gear restrictions are in place to reduce bycatch.
Harvest
- Commercial fishery:
- In 2020, commercial landings of Pacific mackerel totaled more than 1.5 million pounds and were valued at $272,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database.
- There is no directed fishery for mackerel in Oregon or Washington, but small amounts are taken incidentally by whiting trawlers and salmon trollers.
- Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
- Round haul nets are used to catch Pacific mackerel.
- Habitat and bycatch impacts are minimal because the gear is used at the surface.
- Recreational fishery:
- Recreational fishermen catch Pacific mackerel in California but seldom target them.
- The statewide recreational harvest makes up a small fraction (less than 5 percent in weight) of the total landings.
- California’s recreational catch of Pacific mackerel is included within the fishery harvest guideline, but there are no other restrictions on this fishery.
Featured News
NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker, a fisheries survey vessel, departed San DIego in early July to assess coastal pelagic species such as sardine and anchovy. Credit: Paul Hillman/NOAA Fisheries
Chef Rob's Pulled Opah Sandwich. Credit: Sam Wells.