GRANT
NUMBER:
NA36FD0100
NMFS NUMBER:
92-NER-051
REPORT
TITLE:
Development of Underutilized Species: The Atlantic Mackerel
Fishery
AUTHOR:
Patricia Lacey, Michael Jahncke, Robert Lane
PUBLISH
DATE:
May 1998
AVAILABLE
FROM:
National
Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Region, One Blackburn
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. PHONE: (813) 570-5324
ABSTRACT
The goal of
this project was to develop value added products from
the underutilized species Atlantic mackerel (Scomber
scombrus). Development of a value-added product
addressed the issues of short shelf life, low value, and
poor market performance. Development of harvesting
and processing protocols that maintain the quality of
fish during storage (multi-layer packaging) began the
process of extending shelf life. Shelf life studies
with microbiological and chemical composition analyses
documented the product’s status in the fresh and
frozen forms. Addition of marinades increased the value
to the customer, as well as the fresh shelf life.
Consumer, restaurant and trade show testing revealed that
the flavored mackerel was an acceptable product.
Cost analysis revealed that the marinated mackerel would
be a low cost entry into the consumer markets, at $0.70
to $1.11 per pound for filets, ex-processor.
