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Mackerel » Atlantic mackerel

a.k.a. Scomber scombrus, common mackerel, Boston mackerel, caballa

Health Details

Adults and children can safely eat 4 or more meals per month
Low contaminants

More about seafood and health »

Eco Details

Mackerel are fast growing and highly migratory. These traits help them withstand fishing pressure.
Strong management helped Atlantic mackerel populations rebound after they collapsed in the late 1970s.
U.S. fleets primarily use purse seines, a type of net that results in relatively low bycatch.

Nutritional Information

Serving = 100 g of raw edible food, wild species.

	Amount per serving
Calories	205 g
Total Fat	13.8 g
Total Protein	18.6 g
Omega-3	2.45 g
Cholesterol	70 mg
Sodium	90 mg

Source: USDA

More About Atlantic mackerel

A relative of the tuna, the Atlantic mackerel is found in the Atlantic's cold temperate waters. It forms large schools and can live up to 17 years. It grows to a maximum of 2 feet (61 cm).

Commercial Sources

Atlantic mackerel are found in the North Atlantic Ocean. In the eastern Atlantic, they range from the southern Baltic Sea and Iceland to northern Africa, including the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In the western Atlantic, they range from Labrador to Cape Lookout in North Carolina.

Capture Methods

Atlantic mackerel come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with purse seines and trawls. Additional types of fishing gear include gillnets, pound nets, beach seines, traps and hooks-and-lines.

Buying & Eating Guide

Flavor and Texture

Mackerel has high-fat, firm flesh with a savory, strong flavor.

Buying Tips

Atlantic mackerel is sold whole, or cut into fillets or steaks; either fresh, frozen, smoked or salted.

This guide is produced in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

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