Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Also known as Mackerel, Common mackerel, Boston mackerel, Caballa
Culinary Profile
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Soft, flaky, and moist.
Mackerel is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is an excellent source of selenium, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Atlantic mackerel are iridescent blue green on the back with a silvery white underbelly. They have 20 to 30 wavy black bars that run across the top half of their body, and a narrow dark streak that runs below these bars along each side. Their body is spindle-shaped, tapering at both ends. Their two large dorsal fins are gray or dusky.
Biology
Atlantic mackerel grow fast, up to 16 ½ inches and 2.2 pounds. They can live up to 20 years and are able to reproduce by the time they reach age 2 to 3. There are two major spawning groups of Atlantic mackerel in the western Atlantic: The southern group spawns primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Bight from April to May. The northern group spawns in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in June and July.
Where They Live
Range Atlantic mackerel are found on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, including in the Baltic Sea. In the western Atlantic, they’re found from Labrador to North Carolina. Habitat Atlantic mackerel are common in cold and temperate waters over the continental shelf. They swim in schools near the surface, and travel to and from spawning and summering grounds.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round. Some is sold fresh in domestic markets, but most is frozen and exported to markets around the world.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to North Carolina.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic mackerel totaled 2 million pounds and were valued at $1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine harvested the majority. The U.S. commercial fishery for Atlantic mackerel operates primarily between January and May in southern New England and Mid-Atlantic coastal waters and between May and December in the Gulf of Maine. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Fishermen harvest mackerel in large volumes using mid-water trawls. Although mid-water trawls have minimal impact on habitat, they can incidentally catch marine mammals such as short- and long-finned pilot whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 104 Species
Where Atlantic Mackerel ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 DHA | 1401 mg | 1 / 104 | 99% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 898 mg | 3 / 104 | 97% |
| Vitamin D | 16.1 IU | 4 / 54 | 93% |
| Iron | 1.63 mg | 8 / 111 | 93% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Vitamin B12 | 8.71 µg | 17 / 106 | 84% |
| Selenium | 44.1 µg | 20 / 106 | 81% |
| Zinc | 0.63 mg | 36 / 111 | 68% |
| Phosphorus | 217 mg | 42 / 111 | 62% |
| Protein | 18.6 g | 51 / 111 | 54% |
Other Species in Genus Scomber
2 close biological relatives of Atlantic Mackerel profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Chub Mackerel | Scomber colias | 18.6 | 1401 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Mackerel | Scomber japonicus | 19.29 | 1012 | Smart Choice |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Mackerel.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Atlantic Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Both wild-caught and farmed striped bass have a slightly sweet flavor.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Atlantic Mackerel, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Atlantic Mackerel is caught commercially?
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of Atlantic mackerel totaled 2 million pounds and were valued at $1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine harvested the majority. The U.S.
Where in the water column does Atlantic Mackerel live?
Range Atlantic mackerel are found on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, including in the Baltic Sea. In the western Atlantic, they’re found from Labrador to North Carolina. Habitat Atlantic mackerel are common in cold and temperate waters over the continental shelf. They swim in schools near the surface, and travel to and from spawning and summering grounds.
Who manages the Atlantic Mackerel fishery?
NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the Atlantic mackerel fishery. Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan : Mackerel are managed in federal waters. There are no state management measures for mackerel. Managed using annual catch limits allocated between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
How does Atlantic Mackerel reproduce?
Atlantic mackerel grow fast, up to 16 ½ inches and 2.2 pounds. They can live up to 20 years and are able to reproduce by the time they reach age 2 to 3. There are two major spawning groups of Atlantic mackerel in the western Atlantic: The southern group spawns primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Bight from April to May. The northern group spawns in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in June and July.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2025 stock assessment, Atlantic mackerel is not overfished but still rebuilding to the target level, and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest Atlantic mackerel have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the Atlantic mackerel fishery. Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan : Mackerel are managed in federal waters. There are no state management measures for mackerel. Managed using annual catch limits allocated between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.