Description
Catching methods
Trawls, seine, line hooks
Catch areas
FAO 27 – Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands, UK, Ireland, the Netherlands;
FAO 21 – USA, Canada
Brief description
Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) is referred to family Scombridae and is one of the most important commercially caught species in the world. Common size of Atlantic mackerel varies from 20 to 45 cm weighing 200-650 grams respectively. Atlantic mackerel is found in both western and eastern parts if Northern Atlantic. Annual catch for Atlantic mackerel has accounted for more than 1,2 million tons in 2019. Atlantic mackerel is used for smoking and is considered as a primary raw material for preserve and canning industries.
Product form
Whole round (WR, WHG), landfozen or seafrozen in blocks or IQF, fat content 18-27%, branded cartons
Headed, gutted (H&G) (landfozen or seafrozen), H&G (headed, gutted), fat content 18-27%, branded cartons
Fillets – single cut / flaps, skin on, frozen in 20 kg blocks, branded cartons
Size grading
Whole round (WR, WHG) – 200-400, 300-500, 400-600, 500+, 600+ grams
Headed, gutted (H&G) – 130+, 150-300, 225+, 200-400, 250+, 300+, 300-500, grams
Fillets – single cut – 60-90, 70-130 grams
Fillets – flaps – 60+, 80+, 100+, 150+, 200+ grams