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Pacific Mackerel

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. … Various larger fish (such as sharks and tunas), marine mammals, and seabirds eat Pacific mackerelPacific mackerel school as a defense against predators

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

  • 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.