Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) fish species and information / pictures of Atlantic mackerel - Scomber scombrus

Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Scomber scombrus

Common Name
Atlantic mackerel

Biology
Abundant in cold and temperate shelf areas, forms large schools near the surface. They overwinter in deeper waters but move closer to shore in spring when water temperatures range between 11? and 14?C. Mainly diurnal, it feeds on zooplankton and small fish. Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6769). Batch spawner (Ref. 51846). The species is traded fresh, frozen, smoked and canned. Eaten fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988). Two stocks in north-east Atlantic: North Sea (east) and British Isles (west). North Sea stock decreased dramatically in the 1960's because of direct overfishing. Recruitment has been poor and unstable. After spawning, the adult feed very actively moving around in small shoals (Ref. 35388). The South-West Mackerel Handline (http://www.msc.org/html/content_488.htm) and Hastings Fleet Pelagic Fishery Mackerel, (http://www.msc.org/html/

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Mackerels, tunas, bonitos (Scombridae)

Distribution

Region
North Atlantic.
Distribution
North Atlantic.
Range
70°N - 25°N, 77°W - 42°E

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
1000 m
Zone
pelagic-neritic
Environment
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 1000 m (Ref. 54254), usually 0 - 200 m (Ref. 54254)
Trophic Level
3.65 s.e. 0.56 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
60.0 cm
Common Length
30.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (44 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (rm=0.33-0.56; K=0.23-0.27; tm=2-3; tmax=17; Fec=200,000)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated