Aperitif
Dish
First course
Fish
Poisson
Atlantic mackerel
Scomber scombrus
(GSA7) Gulf of Lion, (GSA8) Corsica
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
22 cm
Minimum size
Description
The Atlantic mackerel is a pelagic fish of high commercial value, recognizable by its spindle-shaped, silvery body with a blue-green back marked by oblique to vertical stripes. It can grow up to 60 cm in length, though it is more commonly found at 30 cm.
Habitat
It is a marine, brackish-water, pelagic-neritic, and oceanodromous species.
It can live at depths of 0 to 1,000 m, generally 0–200 m. It forms large schools near the surface, especially in the spring when water temperatures reach 11–14°C. It is abundant on temperate continental shelves and overwinters in deep waters.
It can live at depths of 0 to 1,000 m, generally 0–200 m. It forms large schools near the surface, especially in the spring when water temperatures reach 11–14°C. It is abundant on temperate continental shelves and overwinters in deep waters.
Distribution
It is found in the North Atlantic (75°N to 30°N), from the North Sea to the European coast, as well as in North America and the Mediterranean.
Trophic level
Recommended recipes
Dish
Fondue made with Tomme de la Chapelle St-Jean cheese, smoked mackerel, and potatoes
35 min • Facile
This recipe was featured at the 2017 International Agricultural Show.