Maximum size of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the Northeast Atlantic

Navarro M.R., Villamor B., Myklevoll S., Gil J., Abaunza P., Canoura J.

Published date: June 2012
Volume: 36
Number: 2
Pagination: 406-408
doi: https://doi.org/10.26028/cybium/2012-362-014
Notes:

How to cite: Navarro, M. R., Villamor, B., Myklevoll, S., Gil, J., Abaunza, P., & Canoura, J. (2012). Maximum size of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the Northeast Atlantic. Cybium, 36(2): 406-408. https://doi.org/10.26028/CYBIUM/2012-362-014

Abstract

Maximum size records of Atlantic mackerel caught in different areas of the northeast Atlantic are presented along with the maximum size of Atlantic chub mackerel from the Gulf of Cadiz, Spain. One specimen of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758) was caught in the south of the Bay of Biscay in 2009. Its total length of 59 cm and weight of 1.9 kg are the maximum length and weight recorded for this species in this area. Data on 19 large specimens of Atlantic mackerel from the Norwegian Sea collected since 1980 show a maximum length of 70 cm and a maximum weight of 3.2 kg for this species. This information also shows that the size of Atlantic mackerel is decreasing, probably due to fishing pressure. The most recent (2000-2005) large specimens caught are 50-55 cm in length compared to a maximum size of 70 cm found in earlier years. In 2007 a specimen of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789) was caught in the Gulf of Cadiz. It was 65 cm in length and 2.9 kg in weight, which represents the maximum length and weight for this species. The Atlantic mackerel and the Atlantic chub mackerel caught on the Spanish coast were both 20 years old, which is the maximum age recorded for these species in this area.

Keywords: Maximum age - Maximum length - Maximum weight - Northeast Atlantic - Scomber colias - Scomber scombrus - Scombridae
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