Blue Mackerel

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Best Fish Guide: Blue Mackerel

 Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns)

What's this?

Description: Blue mackerel is a relative of tuna and is similarly widely distributed around the Pacific, including New Zealand. It is often found below schools of jack mackerel and kahawai and is caught year round off the North Island and northern South Island, primarily by purse seine fishing.

Ecological concerns: The little known state of fishstocks, the unknown sustainability of catch levels, declining catch rates on the West Coast, limited research and the lack of a management plan. Also of concern is the bycatch of dolphins and other fish species, plus the ecological impact of blue mackerel removal from food webs.

Economic value: Exports worth about $10 million in 2008. Main markets are Australia, Philippines and Eastern

ASSESSMENT OUTPUT

Biology and risk of overfishing (score C)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score C and D)
Management and management unit (score C and C)

For a full ecological assessment click here.