Recreational anglers catch Spanish mackerel from boats while trolling or drifting and from boats, piers, jetties, and beaches by casting spoons and jigs and live-bait fishing. Biology Spanish mackerel grow fast, up to 13 pounds, and can live up to 12 years.
It is found in a wide area centering in Southeast Asia, but as far west as the east coast of Africa and from the Spanish mackerel spawn in oceanic conditions on reef edges. The first (spiny) dorsal on Spanish and Cero mackerel has a prominent black patch. In Western Australia, they’re found from Cape Leeuwin northwards to the Northern Territory border.They are offshore, pelagic (surface-dwelling) fish and live around offshore and coastal reefs.Research suggests the mackerel in WA’s northern waters don’t move more than 100 kilometres along the coast. Spanish mackerel can be distinguished from king mackerel by their smaller size and the absence of the lateral line that drops abruptly below the second dorsal fin. As all three species normally keep the first dorsal folded back in a body groove, this difference is not immediately evident.
Size and possession limits. Mackerel species typically have vertical stripes on their backs and deeply forked tails. Shark. Possession limit of 3 per person / 6 per boat (with 2 or more people on board) School. In southern waters, they are thought to migrate over hundreds of kilometres, following the warmer waters of the Leeuwin Current.Adults ‘aggregate’ (form groups) to feed and ‘spawn’ (release sperm and eggs) in coastal areas. Many are restricted in their distribution ranges and live in separate populations or fish stocks based on geography. ... Mackerel.
They grow fast while young, but after their first year their growing process slows down. The management of mackerel has been considered a success because the population used to be in decline, but is now on the rise without overfishing occurring. Some stocks migrate in large schools along the coast to suitable spawning grounds, where they spawn in fairly shallow waters. Species. Eggs have a large oil droplet that aids in Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), also known as narrow-barred mackerel, is targeted by recreational and commercial fishers in Western Australia.Spanish mackerel can live for more than 20 years. All (exceptions follow) 38cm min. In the inshore environments, they feed mostly on the larvae and juveniles of small fish and crustaceans until they become large enough to eat small fish and squid.Spanish mackerel are highly valued fish throughout their range in the Indo-West Pacific. Spanish mackerel … They may be prepared by Spanish mackerel are similar in appearance to small The lateral line on Spanish and Cero mackerel slopes gradually from the top edge of the gill to the tail. Average Size Recreational anglers catch Spanish mackerel from boats while Spanish mackerel are managed in commercial and recreation fisheries with bag limits, size limits, commercial trip limits, and with only seasonal fishing allowed. They are vivid blue to dark grey in colour along their backs and flanks and fade to a silvery blue-grey on the belly. Their raw flesh is white. 50cm min. In addition to such spots, Cero mackerel have one or more yellow stripes along the centerline.
stage, Spanish mackerel are believed to stay in their own species-specific groups and are not normally found with other species of the same genus, such as Spawning is seasonal, but it is protracted in the warmer waters of the tropics. buoyancy and keeps them at the top of the water column which is warmer, well oxygenated, and has an When in the larval Recreational anglers catch them from boats while As with most fish, the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel is infected by a variety of Full disclaimer details are available at www.fish.wa.gov.au. You may display, print or reproduce this material only in an unaltered format for your personal or non-commercial use, or for use within your organisation.
These fish measure anywhere from 1 to 8 ft. long and weigh anywhere between 1 and 180 lbs.
Spanish mackerel have prominent yellow spots on the flanks at all sizes.