(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
                               Species mackerel, king
                                 Species Id M010503
                                   Date 27 AUG 96



TAXONOMY

NAME - mackerel, king OTHER COMMON NAMES - kingfish, kings and serucho ELEMENT CODE - CATEGORY - Fish PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Vertebrata, CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes, ORDER AND SUBORDER - Perciformes, FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Scombridae, GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Scomberomorus, SPECIES AND SSP - cavalla, SCIENTIFIC NAME - Scomberomorus cavalla AUTHORITY - Cuvier TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 44 COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY - Common names include king mackerel (preferred common name), kingfish, kings, and serucho *44*. Taxonomy - 1
                                  (DRAFT) - Status
                               Species mackerel, king
                                 Species Id M010503
                                   Date 27 AUG 96



STATUS

Coded Status Sport Fish Commercial Migrant REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 44 COMMENTS ON STATUS - King mackerel support commercial and sport fisheries of major importance. In summer, large solitary king mackerel are sometimes captured off piers and near deepwater inlets. Juvenile king mackerel sometimes mix with schools of Spanish mackerel. The species feeds principally on estuary-dependent species such as menhaden (Brevoortia spp.) and anchovies (Anchoa spp.). Excessive alterations of estuaries could reduce the production of coastal forage fish on which king mackerel feed. Florida has historically produced about 90% of the king mackerel commercial landings in the United States. The species is also highly regarded as a sport fish. Sport fishermen in the south Atlantic region are estimated to have caught 598,000 king mackerel in 1979 and 1,370,000 in 1980. In the gulf, about 600,000 were taken in 1979 and 1 million in 1980. At times, keen competition for this resources has led to serious user conflicts. Major commercial catches along the Florida east coast are centered between Cape Canaveral and Palm Beach, and on the west coast from Key West to Naples. Although king mackerel support a year-round fishery, most are caught in winter and early spring. The percentages of the total catch taken from 1950 to 1974 along the east coast of Florida were 67% by trolling, 29% by runaround gill nets, and 4% by handlines. The percentages for the west coast were 56% for runaround gill nets, 34% for trolling, 6% for handlines, and 4% for other methods. Purse seining has recently been permitted in Federal waters. Major changes in the locations and the intensity of fishing in Florida have taken place since about 1960. The east coast center of production has gradually shifted northward from Dade County toward Volusia County and a spring fishery of major importance has developed off Palm Beach County near Jupitor and Juno. As a result of higher dockside prices, fishing efforts increased sharply: from 1969 to 1977 there was a three-fold increase in hook-and-line vessels, 100 to 300, and gill net vessels, 12 to 33. By 1983, the number of gill net vessels had risen to about 80, and the larger net boat fleet had moved onto fishing grounds that had formerly been used principally by trollers and handlers. In addition, the net fleet has increased its efficiency through the use of spotter airplanes, monofilament net construction, larger and deeper nets mechanically retrieved by power rollers, and electronic equipment *44*. Status - 1
                               (DRAFT) - Distribution
                               Species mackerel, king
                                 Species Id M010503
                                   Date 27 AUG 96



DISTRIBUTION

Distribution - 1
     

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC Estuarine FL. V 1 Marine BB. V 1 Marine BB. V 1 Marine BB. V 1 REFERENCES FOR NWI - 44 COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS - King mackerel inhabit Atlantic coastal waters. Larvae have been found off northwest Florida and Texas between the Middle and Outer (35-183 m) Continental Shelf. Larvae captured near Palm Beach, Florida, were closer to shore than those captured farther north off Cape Canaveral, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, and Cape Fear, North Carolina. North of Cape Canaveral larvae were found near or off the shelf along the 200 m depth contour and near the Gulf Stream. Most king mackerel larvae are collected near the surface. King mackerel are primarily a pelagic species, but also inhabit estuaries *44*. Habitat Associations - 1
                                (DRAFT) - Food Habits
                               Species mackerel, king
                                 Species Id M010503
                                   Date 27 AUG 96



FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL - CARNIVORE REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 44 LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART Adult Osteichthyes Not Specified Adult Clupeiformes Not Specified Adult Percopsiformes Not Specified Adult Invertebrate Cordates Not Specified Adult Isoptera Not Specified Adult Molluscs Not Specified Adult Malacostraca Not Specified Adult Crustaceans Not Specified Adult Squid, Octopus Not Specified Juvenile Osteichthyes Not Specified Juvenile Clupeiformes Not Specified Juvenile Squid, Octopus Not Specified Important Osteichthyes Not Specified Important Clupeiformes Not Specified Important Squid, Octopus Not Specified REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 44 REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 44 REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 44 REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 44 COMMENTS ON FOOD - King mackerel juveniles and adults are primarily pelagic carnivores. They feed mostly on schooling fish, secondarily on crustaceans, and minimally on mollusks. The dominent prey by number (59%) were clupeids (Atlantic thread herring) and scaled sardines, Harengula jaguana. The minor fish prey (8%) were species of Carangidae, Lutjanidae, Pomadasyidae (Haemulidae), Sparidae, and Triglidae. Invertebrates, particularly squid and shrimps, made up 33% of the diet. In south Florida, the king mackerel fed primarily on the ballyhoo, Hemiramphus brasiliensis, followed by lutjanids (five species), clupeids, scombrids, mugilids (two species), and serranids. The invertebrates eaten were mostly penaeid shrimp and some squid and nematodes. In east central Florida, clupeids (principally the Spanish sardine, Sardinella aurita) were the dominent fish prey. Other prey were anchovies, mullet, flying fish, drum, and jacks. Squid was the major invertebrate food; others were nematodes, penaeid shrimp, and isopods. Most fish eaten by adult king mackerel were about the same size: 100 to 150 mm FL *44*. COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD - King mackerel juveniles and adults are primarily pelagic carnivores. They Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits Species mackerel, king Species Id M010503 Date 27 AUG 96 feed mostly on schooling fish, secondarily on crustaceans, and minimally on mollusks. The dominent prey by number (59%) were clupeids (Atlantic thread herring) and scaled sardines, Harengula jaguana. The minor fish prey (8%) were species of Carangidae, Lutjanidae, Pomadasyidae (Haemulidae), Sparidae, and Triglidae. Invertebrates, particularly squid and shrimps, made up 33% of the diet. In south Florida, the king mackerel fed primarily on the ballyhoo, Hemiramphus brasiliensis, followed by lutjanids (five species), clupeids, scombrids, mugilids (two species), and serranids. The invertebrates eaten were mostly penaeid shrimp and some squid and nematodes. In east central Florida, clupeids (principally the Spanish sardine, Sardinella aurita) were the dominent fish prey. Other prey were anchovies, mullet, flying fish, drum, and jacks. Squid was the major invertebrate food; others were nematodes, penaeid shrimp, and isopods. Most fish eaten by adult king mackerel were about the same size: 100 to 150 mm FL *44*. COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD - King mackerel juveniles are primarily pelagic carnivores. Analysis of the stomach contents of 84 juvenile king mackerel (103-309 mm FL) from Cape Canaveral, 130 Spanish mackerel (117-432 mm FL) from Cape Canaveral, and 214 Spanish mackerel from Galveston Bay revealed that juveniles of both species were principally piscivorous, but king mackerel showed a greater preference for invertebrates. Anchovies (Anchoa spp.), menhaden (Brevoortia spp.), and Atlantic thread herring (Opisthonema oglinum) were the dominent forage of the mackerels. Much less common were mugilids, sciaenids, carangids, and eleotrids. Squid was the major invertebrate prey for both species. Juveniles fed heavily on anchovies, as shown by their frequencies of occurrence (19-39%) and volume (30-54%) in mackerel stomachs. The body shape of anchovies appears to make them highly suitable prey for juvenile mackerel *44*. Food Habits - 2
                         (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
                               Species mackerel, king
                                 Species Id M010503
                                   Date 27 AUG 96



ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae L = Larvae E = Egg RL = Resting Larvae FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments G G G L L L L Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C L Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C L Water Temperature: Specified in Comments L Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments G Coastal Wetlands: Sounds and bays G Estuarine habitat zone: offshore REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 44 REFERENCES FOR RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 44 REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 44 REFERENCES FOR RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 44 REFERENCES FOR RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 44 REFERENCES FOR EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 44 COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS - TEMPERATURE: The northern range of the king mackerel extends only to the 20 deg C isotherm within the 18 m depth contour. The arrival of king mackerel off west central Florida in the spring depends on changes in water temperature and on the preceeding winter's air temperature. Futhermore, sport catch data indicate that catch-per-hour is usually higher following warm winters and lower following cold winters. SALINITY: All life stages of king mackerel usually inhabit waters within salinities of 32 to 36 ppt. DEPTH: In the summer, large solitary king mackerel are sometimes captured Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations Species mackerel, king Species Id M010503 Date 27 AUG 96 off piers and near deepwater inlets. HABITAT ZONE: King mackerel inhabit coastal waters and estuaries *44*. COMMENTS ON RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - TEMPERATURE: The northern range of the king mackerel extends only to the 20 deg C isotherm within the 18 m depth contour. The arrival of king mackerel off west central Florida in the spring depends on changes in water temperature and on the preceeding winter's air temperature. Futhermore, sport catch data indicate that catch-per-hour is usually higher following warm winters and lower following cold winters. SALINITY: All life stages of king mackerel usually inhabit waters within salinities of 32 to 36 ppt. DEPTH: In the summer, large solitary king mackerel are sometimes captured off piers and near deepwater inlets. HABITAT ZONE: King mackerel inhabit coastal waters and estuaries *44*. COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - HABITAT ZONE: King mackerel spawn in the coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico, and off the south Atlantic coast *44*. COMMENTS ON RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - SALINITY: All life stages of king mackerel usually inhabit waters within salinities of 32 to 36 ppt *44*. COMMENTS ON RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - TEMPERATURE: In the gulf, king mackerel larvae have been taken at temperatures of 26 to 31 deg C, and in the south Atlantic at temperatures of 22 to 28 deg C. SALINITY: In the gulf, king mackerel larvae have been taken at surface salinities from 27 to 36 ppt, and in the south Atlantic from 30 to 37 ppt. DEPTH : King mackerel larvae were discovered off northwest Florida and Texas between the Middle and Outer (35-183 m) Continental Shelf. Larvae captured near Palm Beach, Florida, were closer to shore than those captured farther north off Cape Canaveral, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, and Cape Fear, North Carolina. North of Cape Canaveral, larvae were found near or off the shelf along the 200 m depth contour and near the Gulf Stream *44*. COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - SALINITY: All life stages of the king mackerel usually inhabit waters within salinities of 32 to 36 ppt *44*. Environment Associations - 2
                               (DRAFT) - Life History
                               Species mackerel, king
                                 Species Id M010503
                                   Date 27 AUG 96



LIFE HISTORY

MORPHOLOGY/IDENTIFICATION AIDS: The elongated, fusiform, compressed body of king mackerel is 4.25 to 5.00 times as long as the head, and 5.50 to 6.25 times as long as it is deep. They have two dorsal fins, the second followed by 8 or 9 finlets. The lateral line, which abruptly curves downward below the second dorsal fin, distinguishes the king mackerel from the Spanish mackerel and cero mackerel (S. regalis). The caudal peduncle has a large fleshy keel. The body is entirely scales with rudimentary scales, except for most of the pectoral fin. The mouth is large and oblique with the maxillary reaching posteriorly to slightly beyond the eye orbit. Each side of the jaw has about 30 strongly compressed triangular teeth. This species gets considerably larger than the Spanish mackerel. SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATIONS: Extensive tagging studies indicate that there are at least two migratory groups of king mackerel. Those tagged in the winter south of Cape Canaveral, Florida, usually moved southward through the Florida keys, entered the Gulf of Mexico in late winter and spring, and then continued northward along the west Florida Continental Shelf. Some were recaptured as far west as Texas and a few as far as Veracruz and Yucatan, Mexico. These western migrants, some tagged off the coasts of Texas and northwest Florida in the summer, returned to south Florida in the winter. A second group of king mackerel, tagged in the spring off southeast Florida, moved northward in the summer along the Atlantic coast to the Carolinas. One was recaptured as far north as Chincoteague, Virginia. King mackerel tagged in South Carolina in the spring generally moved south in May through August and were recaptured in Florida that summer. In the fall they migrated to the northern limit of their distribution, and many were recaptured in North Carolina. Preliminary electrophoretic analysis of 48 enzymes extracted from king mackerel tissues (heart, liver, eye, and muscle) give evidence that there are two populations of king mackerel. Variation of two alleles for the peptidase with glycylleucine-2 locus gave the greatest differences between South Carolina and Texas specimens; however, other loci were minimally polymorphic and of limited value for separating populations. Homing tendencies are additional evidence of two populations. After a year or more of freedom, king mackerel usually are recaptured at or near their release site at about the same time of year they were first tagged. SPAWNING: King mackerel spawn in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and off the south Atlantic coast. Because of a protracted spawning season, larvae have been collected by sampling gear from May through October. Catches were highest in September. The paucity of larvae in the eastern Gulf of Mexico south of Cape San Blas, off the Yucatan Channel and southeast Florida, indicates minimal spawning in these waters. King mackerel larvae were discovered off northwest Florida and Texas between the Middle and Outer (35-183 m) Continental Shelf. Larvae captured near Palm Beach, Florida, were closer to shore than those captured farther north off Cape Canaveral, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, and Cape Fear, North Carolina. North of Cape Canaveral, larvae were found near or off the shelf along the 200 m depth contour and near the Gulf Stream. Further evidence of protracted spawning for king mackerel is the holding of Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History Species mackerel, king Species Id M010503 Date 27 AUG 96 vitellogenic eggs (eggs with forming yolk) from May through October. Multiple spawning is suggested by bimodal distributions of mean oocyte diameter of yolkbearing vitellogenic (stage 4) eggs. The first mode was in late May through early July and the second was in late July and early August. The appearance of spent males from September through December coincided with a commensurate absence of vitellogenic eggs beginning in August, suggesting a final climactic spawn. MATURITY AND FECUNDITY: In south Florida, most male king mackerel probably spawn in their fourth year of life (Age III) when about 718 mm FL; most females spawn at Age IV when about 857 mm FL. Mature females about 600 mm FL distributed from Texas to the Carolinas, with egg count estimates ranging from 69,000 (446 mm FL, Age I, 0.68 kg) to 12,207,000 (1,489 mm FL, Age XIII, 25.6 kg) were reported. The best indicator of fecundity is the total weight of the fish. EGGS, LARVAE, AND JUVENILES: Examination of Spanish and king mackerel larvae 2.0 to 2.9 standard length (SL) offered diagnostic aids for separating the larvae based on pigment (melanophore) differences in the jaw, head, and nape areas. The myomere counts, fin elements, and pigmentation of larger king mackerel larvae (3.3 to 17.0 mm SL) have been described, while eggs have not yet been described. Because most king mackerel larvae are collected near the surface, the refinement of quantitative sampling techniques to collect larvae 3 mm SL (about 3 days old) would aid in the delineation of spawning grounds. In the gulf, mackerel larvae have been taken at surface salinities and temperatures from 27 to 33 ppt and 26 to 31 deg C, and in the south Atlantic between 30 and 37 ppt and 22 to 28 deg C. LONGEVITY AND GROWTH: Recent estimates of age, growth, and mortality of king mackerel are probably more accurate than older ones because the database includes more of the larger and older king mackerel collected from North Carolina to Texas. The von Bertalanffy growth equation is as follows: lt = Linfin (1 - exp(-K9t - to))) where lt is length at age t, Linfin is asymptotic length, K is the growth coefficient, and to is the age when the theoretical length is zero. King mackerel were aged using otoliths. Although there was good correlation between the growth of otoliths and length of fish, neither of two studies clearly demonstrated that opaque otolith growth rings were valid indicators of age. Females live longer than males and usually grow faster after Age II. The oldest females collected were 14 years of age or older: a 1.4 m FL fish from Louisiana and a 90 lb (40.8 kg) fish from Key West. The oldest male (979 mm SL) was 12 years old. King mackerel growth is highly variable. For example, females 850 to 899 mm FL could be 1 to 8 years old; males about the same size could be 3 to 8 years old. It has been suggested that compensatory growth occurs in "slow growing" fish during their second year when their growth increment surpasses that of "fast growers." Nevertheless, "slow growing" mackerel remain smaller than "fast growers" throughout their lives. Total annual mortality estimates were 0.37 (more recent) and 0.54. FOOD HABITS: Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History Species mackerel, king Species Id M010503 Date 27 AUG 96 King mackerel juveniles and adults are primarily pelagic carnivores. They feed mostly on schooling fish, secondarily on crustaceans, and minimally on mollusks. The dominent prey by number (59%) were clupeids (Atlantic thread herring) and scaled sardines, Harengula jaguana. The minor fish prey (8%) were species of Carangidae, Lutjanidae, Pomadasyidae (Haemulidae), Sparidae, and Triglidae. Invertebrates, particularly squid and shrimps, made up 33% of the diet. In south Florida, the king mackerel fed primarily on the ballyhoo, Hemiramphus brasiliensis, followed by lutjanids (five species), clupeids, scombrids, mugilids (two species), and serranids. The invertebrates eaten were mostly penaeid shrimp and some squid and nematodes. In east central Florida, clupeids (principally the Spanish sardine, Sardinella aurita) were the dominent fish prey. Other prey were anchovies, mullet, flying fish, drum, and jacks. Squid was the major invertebrate food; others were nematodes, penaeid shrimp, and isopods. Most fish eaten by adult king mackerel were about the same size: 100 to 150 mm FL. King mackerel juveniles are primarily pelagic carnivores. Analysis of the stomach contents of 84 juvenile king mackerel (103-309 mm FL) from Cape Canaveral, 130 Spanish mackerel (117-432 mm FL) from Cape Canaveral, and 214 Spanish mackerel from Galveston Bay revealed that juveniles of both species were principally piscivorous, but king mackerel showed a greater preference for invertebrates. Anchovies (Anchoa spp.), menhaden (Brevoortia spp.), and Atlantic thread herring (Opisthonema oglinum) were the dominent forage of the mackerels. Much less common were mugilids, sciaenids, carangids, and eleotrids. Squid was the major invertebrate prey for both species. Juveniles fed heavily on anchovies, as shown by their frequencies of occurrence (19-39%) and volume (30-54%) in mackerel stomachs. The body shape of anchovies appears to make them highly suitable prey for juvenile mackerel. PREDATORS: Larvae and juveniles of king mackerel have been identified as prey for the little tunny, Euthynnus alletteratus, and dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus. Relatively large king mackerel are eaten by pelagic sharks, little tunny, and dolphins. The bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus interferes with commercial fishing by pirating king mackerel hooked on trolling lines and in nets. Sharks sometimes interfere with gill net sets by eating mackerel caught in the mesh. The most common shark species are the tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvieri; bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas; dusky shark, C. obscurus; smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena; shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus; lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris; and porbeagle, Lamna nasus *44*. LIFE HISTORY CODES - Foraging Sites: Standing water: Profundal zone Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: Grea REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 44 Life History - 3
                           (DRAFT) - Management Practices
                               Species mackerel, king
                                 Species Id M010503
                                   Date 27 AUG 96



MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Existing Regulating harvest of species being described Existing Regulating commercial harvest gear types Existing Regulating commercial harvest levels Beneficial Developing/maintaining/protecting wetlands REFERENCES FOR BENEFICIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 44 REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 44 COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - The Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for coastal pelagic fish species, including mackerel, was implemented in March 1983 by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (GM&SAFMC). Quotas based on theoretical yields partitioned according to historical landings were established for the commercial hook-and-line (3,877,200 lb), net (5,122,800 lb), and sport (28,000,000 lb) fisheries, and were in effect from 1 July 1982 to 30 June 1983. In May 1983, the commercial hook-and-line fisheries was officially closed when that quota was attained. This early closure was attributed to increased catches in North Carolina (0.7 million lb) and Louisiana (1.2 million lb). These new developments in conjunction with decreasing catches in south Florida are currently under review by the GS&ASMFC. Recent studies suggest that increased catches are related to strong year classes, that more than one migratory group exists, and that a maximum sustainable yield of 37.7 million lb may have been overestimated *44*. Excessive alterations of estuaries could reduce the production of coastal forage fish on which king mackerel feed.*44* The commercial fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in the eastern zone was closed effective January 4, 1991. The closure was necessary to protect the overfished Gulf king mackerel resource and is in compliance with the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The closure applies to federal waters (the exclusive economic zone or EEZ), as defined by seasonal boundaries of the Gulf migratory group, through June 30, 1991.*262* Management Practices - 1
                                   (DRAFT) - References
                                  Species mackerel, king
                                    Species Id M010503
                                      Date 27 AUG 96



     

References

44* Godcharles, M.F., and M.D. Murphy. 1986. Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (south Florida) -- king mackerel and Spanish mackerel. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 82(11.58). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4. 18 pp. References - 1