![School of blue-green, silvery Pacific chub mackerel fish swimming together in dark waters.](/s3//styles/full_width/s3/dam-migration/900x600-pacific-chub-mackerel-shutterstock.jpg?itok=xZbDdrgJ)
Pacific mackerel. Credit: Shutterstock
About the Species
![School of blue-green, silvery Pacific chub mackerel fish swimming together in dark waters.](/s3//styles/full_width/s3/dam-migration/900x600-pacific-chub-mackerel-shutterstock.jpg?itok=xZbDdrgJ)
Pacific mackerel. Credit: Shutterstock
U.S. wild-caught Pacific mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
![Population Status Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--fish-population.png)
Population
The stock is not overfished.
![Fishing Status Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--fish-status.png)
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
![Habitat Impacts Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--habitat.png)
Habitat Impacts
The gear used to catch Pacific mackerel is used at the surface and has little impact on bottom habitat.
![Bycatch Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--bycatch.png)
Bycatch
Bycatch is low because gear used is selective.
Population Status
- Pacific mackerel is not overfished (2023 stock assessment), and not subject to overfishing based on 2022 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
Range
- Pacific mackerel are found from southeastern Alaska to Mexico but are most common south of Point Conception, California.
Habitat
- Pacific mackerel live within 20 miles of shore in water ranging from 50˚ to 72˚ F.
- When the population is small, they tend to occupy only the warmer part of their habitat.
- Juveniles live off sandy beaches, around kelp beds, and in open bays.
- Adults are found near shallow banks from the surface to waters almost 1,000 feet deep.
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 2022, commercial landings of Pacific mackerel totaled 2 million pounds and were valued at $400,000, 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.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/21/2024
- Pacific mackerel are found from southeastern Alaska to Mexico but are most common south of Point Conception, California.
- Pacific mackerel live within 20 miles of shore in water ranging from 50˚ to 72˚ F.
- When the population is small, they tend to occupy only the warmer part of their habitat.
- Juveniles live off sandy beaches, around kelp beds, and in open bays.
- Adults are found near shallow banks from the surface to waters almost 1,000 feet deep.
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 2022, commercial landings of Pacific mackerel totaled 2 million pounds and were valued at $400,000, 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.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/21/2024
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Seafood Facts
![Fishwatch Logo](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch_horizontal.png)
Is Pacific Mackerel Sustainable?
U.S. wild-caught Pacific mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
![Environmental Impact Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch-seafood-icon.png)
Availability
Year-round, but primarily in summer.
![Feeds Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch-seafood-icon.png)
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Washington to California.
![Farming Methods Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch-seafood-icon.png)
Taste
Rich with a pronounced flavor.
![Human Health Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch-seafood-icon.png)
Texture
Flaky and moist.
![Human Health Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch-seafood-icon.png)
Color
Dark red flesh.
![Human Health Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch-seafood-icon.png)
Health Benefits
Pacific mackerel is a good source of riboflavin and vitamin B6, and a very good source of protein, niacin, vitamin B12, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1; Serving Weight: 100 g; Calories: 158; Protein: 20.07 g; Total Fat: 7.89 g; Total Saturated Fatty Acids: 2.247 g; Carbohydrate: 0 g; Total Sugars: 0 g; Total Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Cholesterol: 47 mg; Selenium: 36.5 mcg; Sodium: 86 mgLast updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/21/2024
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/21/2024
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/21/2024
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/21/2024
Documents
Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Trinational Sardine & Small Pelagics Forum Virtual Event - May 2, 2022
Proceedings of the virtual 22nd Annual Trinational Sardine and Small Pelagics Forum (TSF), hosted…
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…
Proceedings of the 2019 Trinational Sardine & Small Pelagics Forum
Proceedings of the 20th Annual Trinational Sardine and Small Pelagics Forum (TSF) held on December…
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Harvest Specifications for 2006-2007: Environmental Assessment and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Environmental Assessment and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering…
Data & Maps
2023 Assessment Of The Atka Mackerel Stock In The Bering Sea And Aleutian Islands
Native Names: In the Aleut languages, Atka mackerel are known as tmadgi among the Eastern and Atkan…
2022 Assessment Of The Atka Mackerel Stock In The Bering Sea And Aleutian Islands
Native Names: In the Aleut languages, Atka mackerel are known as tmadgi among the Eastern and Atkan…
2021 Assessment Of The Atka Mackerel Stock In The Bering Sea And Aleutian Islands
Native Names: In the Aleut languages, Atka mackerel are known as tmadgi-{ among the Eastern and…
2020 Assessment Of The Atka Mackerel Stock In The Bering Sea And Aleutian Islands
Native Names: In the Aleut languages, Atka mackerel are known as tmadgi among the Eastern and Atkan…
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/21/2024