Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
Also known as Mackerel, Spotted cybium, Bay mackerel, Spotted mackerel
Culinary Profile
Spanish mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting meat along the midline.
Flaky and moist.
Spanish mackerel is an excellent source of selenium, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Spanish mackerel have a greenish back with silver sides and belly. They are covered with very tiny scales. They have yellow or olive green oval spots all over. These spots distinguish Spanish mackerel from cero mackerel, which have yellow-gold streaks along their midline.
Biology
Spanish mackerel grow fast, up to 13 pounds, and can live up to 12 years. They are able to reproduce by age 2. There are two distinct populations, one in the Gulf of America and one in the Atlantic. They spawn from April to September off the North Carolina and Virginia coasts in the Atlantic Ocean and in shallow coastal waters in the eastern Gulf of America.
Where They Live
Range Spanish mackerel is found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of America. Habitat Spanish mackerel mostly live in open water but are sometimes found over deep grass beds and reefs, as well as in shallow estuaries. They prefer water temperatures above 68° F. Fishery Management NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf Fishery Management Councils manage the Spanish mackerel fishery.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught mostly from Rhode Island to Alabama.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of Spanish mackerel totaled 3 million pounds and were valued at $5 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Commercial landings of Spanish mackerel have generally been increasing in the Atlantic over the past decade. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen use cast nets, gillnets, and hook-and-line gear to harvest Spanish mackerel. Cast nets account for the majority of landings. Spanish mackerel are caught in coastal waters at or near the surface, so fishing gear has minimal impacts on habitat. Fishermen throw cast nets and set gillnets directly on schools of Spanish mackerel, so they rarely catch other species.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 104 Species
Where Spanish 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 | 1012 mg | 4 / 104 | 96% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 329 mg | 14 / 104 | 87% |
| Vitamin D | 7.3 IU | 15 / 54 | 72% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.4 µg | 37 / 106 | 65% |
| Protein | 19.29 g | 46 / 111 | 59% |
| Zinc | 0.49 mg | 54 / 111 | 51% |
| Phosphorus | 205 mg | 57 / 111 | 49% |
| Choline | 50.5 mg | 63 / 65 | 3% |
| Iron | 0.44 mg | 72 / 111 | 35% |
Other Southeast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Spanish Mackerel.
Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus acronotus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Caribbean Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Mild and sweet.
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Mild but distinct flavor, somewhere between bass and halibut.
Gray Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
The meat of gray triggerfish is uniquely sweet. It tastes more like crab than fish.
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
King mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting meat a…
Queen Conch
Aliger gigas
Conch has a sweet, slightly smoky flavor, similar to abalone or clam. Fresh, farmed conch is sweeter and more tender tha…
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Red snapper has a sweetly mild but distinctive flavor.
Vermilion Snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Spanish 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
Where is Spanish Mackerel found?
Range Spanish mackerel is found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of America. Habitat Spanish mackerel mostly live in open water but are sometimes found over deep grass beds and reefs, as well as in shallow estuaries. They prefer water temperatures above 68° F.
Where in the water column does Spanish Mackerel live?
Range Spanish mackerel is found off the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the Gulf of America. Habitat Spanish mackerel mostly live in open water but are sometimes found over deep grass beds and reefs, as well as in shallow estuaries. They prefer water temperatures above 68° F.
How long do Spanish Mackerel live?
Live up to 12 years.
How big does Spanish Mackerel get?
grow fast, up to 13 pounds.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Spanish mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of Spanish mackerel: South Atlantic and Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico). According to the most recent stock assessments: The South Atlantic stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing (2023 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The South Atlantic and Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest Spanish mackerel have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Bycatch is low because hook-and-line, cast nets, and gillnet gear are selective.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf Fishery Management Councils manage the Spanish mackerel fishery. Managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Region : Commercial fishermen must have a permit to harvest Spanish mackerel in federal waters.
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.