More information

Atlantic mackerel

Informatie over vissoort

Lees meer

General

Mackerel and related species

Mackerel and related species (Scombroidei) are a group within the Perciformes, one of the largest orders of fish. This group includes mackerel (Atlantic mackerel, horse mackerel, etc.), tuna, sailfish and swordfish, and barracudas. These fish are widely consumed by people all over the world and therefore form an important source of food and income. Mackerel are pelagic fish that live in large schools. They are fast and strong swimmers, and the silvery shimmer of their scales can confuse predators. The smallest species is the island mackerel, which reaches no more than about 20 cm. The largest is the bluefin tuna, which can grow to more than 5 metres.

Atlantic mackerel

Atlantic mackerel is a migratory predator that can cover large distances, mostly in large groups. This species can be found only in the northern Atlantic Ocean. In the winter, this species migrates to colder waters and does not eat anything during this period. In the spring, this species migrates back into warmer coastal waters to forage and reproduce. After reproduction, the mackerel hunt for herring, European sprat, and smelt in small groups. During the migratory period, Atlantic mackerel form large groups which can measure up to 100 m in depth and 200 m in width. The Atlantic mackerel can reach maximum lengths of 60 cm and can weigh 3 kilograms.

Atlantic mackerel

Scomber scombrus

Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Bottom trawls, Purse seines

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Minder tonen Toon beoordeling

Fish stocks and fishing pressure

Ecosystem effects

Fishery management

Final assessment

Explanation assessment

The fishing pressure of the mackerel stock in the north-east Atlantic Ocean is currently higher than the precautionary level. This is mainly because international catch agreements are lacking.

Fishing with [purse-seines] and pelagic-trawlspelagic trawl:
Pelagic trawls is a fishing technique whereby a funnel-shaped trawl is pulled through the water column. Because the trawl does not drag over the bottom, there is no bottom disturbance. are relatively selective and therefore little bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). occurs. However, these fishing methodes have a larger impact on the ecosystem than when fishing with handlines. The seabed is not damaged.

The mackerel fishery is managed by size limits, catch-limits and (in the North Sea) closed fishing seasons. Discards and discarding less valuable fish (slipping and high-grading) are regulated with the European Union discard ban. Since 2010, there have been no international catch agreements for Atlantic mackerel in this area. This has resulted in high levels of fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing..

Fish in season

Fish is in season when the spawning period has ended, as the quality is then at its best.

Atlantic mackerel

Scomber scombrus

Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Handlines and pole-lines

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Minder tonen Toon beoordeling

Fish stocks and fishing pressure

Ecosystem effects

Fishery management

Final assessment

Explanation assessment

The fishing pressure of the mackerel stock in the north-east Atlantic Ocean is currently higher than the precautionary level. This is mainly because international catch agreements are lacking.

Fishing with [hand-operated] handlines is very selective and therefore little bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). occurs. The seabed is not damaged.

The mackerel fishery is managed by size limits, catch-limits and (in the North Sea) closed fishing seasons. Discards and discarding less valuable fish (slipping and high-grading) are regulated with the European Union discard ban. Since 2010, there have been no international catch agreements for Atlantic mackerel in this area. This has resulted in high levels of fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing..

Fish in season

Fish is in season when the spawning period has ended, as the quality is then at its best.

Atlantic mackerel

Scomber scombrus

Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Gillnets

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Minder tonen Toon beoordeling

Fish stocks and fishing pressure

Ecosystem effects

Fishery management

Final assessment

Explanation assessment

The fishing pressure of the mackerel stock in the north-east Atlantic Ocean is currently higher than the precautionary level. This is mainly because international catch agreements are lacking.

Fishing with gillnetsGillnets:
A fishing technique whereby passing fish get caught in the meshes with their gills. The net stands vertically on the bottom or hangs on buoys in the water column. The by-catch of species such as porpoises and dolphins is a problem related to gillnets. has relativley high bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). rates, mainly sea mammals and seabirds.

The mackerel fishery is managed by size limits, [catch-limit]s and (in the North Sea) closed fishing seasons. Discards(EN) Discards:
Unwanted by-catch, which is thrown back because there is no quota, the market price is too low, or the fish is below the legal minimum landing size. Discards can be alive or dead. and discarding less valuable fish (slipping and high-grading) are regulated with the European Union discard ban. Since 2010, there have been no international catch agreements for Atlantic mackerel in this area. This has resulted in high levels of fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing..

Fish in season

Fish is in season when the spawning period has ended, as the quality is then at its best.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.