Mackerel

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For other uses, see Mackerel (disambiguation).
Atlantic horse mackerel
King mackerel

Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of fish, mostly, but not exclusively, from the family Scombridae. They may be found in all tropical and temperate seas. Most live offshore in the oceanic environment, but a few, like the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), enter bays and can be caught near bridges and piers. Common features of mackerel are a slim, cylindrical shape (as opposed to the tunas which are deeper bodied) and numerous finlets on the dorsal and ventral sides behind the dorsal and anal fins. The scales are extremely small, if present. A female mackerel lays about one million eggs at a time.

Shearwater, tuna, dolphins, whales, orca, seagulls, marlins, sharks, and humans may hunt mackerel. Mackerel are prized (and are highly harvested) for their meat, which is often very oily. They are known for their fighting ability, and are an important recreational and commercial fishery. The meat can spoil quickly, especially in the tropics, causing scombroid food poisoning—it must be eaten on the day of capture, unless properly refrigerated or cured. For this reason, mackerel is commonly salt-cured for sushi. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council, king mackerel is contaminated with high levels of mercury. [1] [2]

Contents

[edit] Species

Family Scombridae

Family Carangidae

Family Hexagrammidae

Family Gempylidae

[edit] Use as an adjective

"Mackerel" is also used as an adjective in the vernacular names of other animals or breeds thereof, often used to indicate types with a mackerel-like pattern of vertical stripes:

[edit] Use in prisons

Pouches of mackerel have become a currency in United States federal prisons after cigarettes, the previous currency, were banned.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ FDA (1990-2010). "Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish". http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/product-specificinformation/seafood/foodbornepathogenscontaminants/methylmercury/ucm115644.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-14. 
  2. ^ Natural Resources Defense Council. "Protect Yourself and Your Family". http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/protect.asp. Retrieved 2011-09-14. 
  3. ^ Scheck, Justin (2 October 2008). "Mackerel Economics in Prison Leads to Appreciation for Oily Fillets". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122290720439096481.html. Retrieved 11 April 2011. 

[edit] External links

Look up mackerel in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mackerel
Principal commercial fishery species groups
Wild
Atlantic cod

Lobster

Pacific oysters
Farmed
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