Pacific Mackerel

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.

Status

• According to the 2017 stock assessment, Pacific mackerel are not overfished and are not subject to overfishing.
• 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.

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.