(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - mackerel, spanish
OTHER COMMON NAMES -
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 - maculatus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Scomberomorus maculatus
AUTHORITY - Mitchill
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 44
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Sport Fish
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
Commercial
Commercial/consumption
Existing, FMP exists
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 44 and 182
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
Spanish mackerel support commercial and sport fisheries of major importance.
The species is of major commercial importance in south Florida. The main
fishing areas are the Florida Keys and the Atlantic coast between Palm Beach
and Cape Canaveral. Small numbers are caught as an incidental or
supplemental commercial species off the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, North Carolina, and, to a similar extent, Georgia and South
Carolina.
Spanish mackerel also are an important species for the private boat and
charter boat sport fishery along the gulf and south Atlantic coasts. Most
anglers fish from private boats, although good catches are made from charter
boats, fishing piers, and beach fishing.
The limited sport statistics suggest that 1979 commercial landings on the
Atlantic coast were double the sport catch. On the gulf coast, however, the
sport catch was probably 50% higher than the commercial catch *44*.
Spanish mackerel are excellent eating fish and are easily filleted.*182
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine BB. V 1
Marine BB. V 1
Marine BB. V 1
Estuarine BB. V 1
Estuarine BB. V 1
Estuarine BB. V 1
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 44
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Spanish mackerel inhabit coastal waters, along the beaches and in the outer
waters of estuaries. Collections of small larvae indicate that Spanish
mackerel spawn over the Inner Continental Shelf in waters 12-34 m deep. In
the northeastern Gulf of Mexico off northwest Florida, most larvae were
collected in water shallower than 13 m, although some were in water as deep
as 91.5 m. All larvae collected along the west coast of Florida were taken
inside the 50 m depth contour; most were within the 20 m contour.
Juvenile Spanish mackerel have been collected from low salinity estuaries
and high salinity beach waters. Apparently, some juvenile Spanish mackerel
use estuaries as nursery grounds, but most stay nearshore in open beach
waters *44*.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
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 Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult Malacostraca Not Specified
Adult Atheriniformes Not Specified
Adult Perciformes Not Specified
Adult Squid, Octopus Not Specified
Juvenile Osteichthyes Not Specified
Juvenile Clupeiformes Not Specified
Juvenile Squid, Octopus Not Specified
Important Squid, Octopus Not Specified
Important Osteichthyes Not Specified
Important Clupeiformes 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 -
Stomach contents from 190 Spanish mackerel were examined and it was reported
that 76% contained herringlike fishes, principally the scaled sardine and
Atlantic thread herring. Shrimp (Penaeus spp.), mullet (Mugil spp.),
needlefish (Strongylura spp.), and anchovies (Anchoa spp.) were less
abundant. In Texas 2,274 Spanish mackerel stomachs containing food were
examined. Thirty percent contained menhaden. The contents of 611 Spanish
mackerel stomachs (also from Texas) were examined: 13% contained shrimp;
%5, squid; 9%, ribbonfish; 1%, menhaden; 1%, other species; and the
remainder, unidentifiable. The round scad (Decapterus punctatus) was also
listed as a food of the Spanish mackerel.
Stomachs of 6,933 Spanish mackerel (64% were empty) were examined fron the
northern Gulf of Mexico, from east central Florida, and from the Carolinas.
In volume, anchovies made up 96% of the food in Texas and 99% in east
central Florida. Anchovies also made up 94% of the diet by number in
Louisiana and 98% in North and South Carolina. The predominance of
anchovies, herring, and small jacks in the Spanish mackerel diet
demonstrates major predation on small, schooling pelagic fish *44*.
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
Stomach contents from 190 Spanish mackerel were examined and it was reported
that 76% contained herringlike fishes, principally the scaled sardine and
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
Atlantic thread herring. Shrimp (Penaeus spp.), mullet (Mugil spp.),
needlefish (Strongylura spp.), and anchovies (Anchoa spp.) were less
abundant. In Texas 2,274 Spanish mackerel stomachs containing food were
examined. Thirty percent contained menhaden. The contents of 611 Spanish
mackerel stomachs (also from Texas) were examined: 13% contained shrimp;
%5, squid; 9%, ribbonfish; 1%, menhaden; 1%, other species; and the
remainder, unidentifiable. The round scad (Decapterus punctatus) was also
listed as a food of the Spanish mackerel.
Stomachs of 6,933 Spanish mackerel (64% were empty) were examined fron the
northern Gulf of Mexico, from east central Florida, and from the Carolinas.
In volume, anchovies made up 96% of the food in Texas and 99% in east
central Florida. Anchovies also made up 94% of the diet by number in
Louisiana and 98% in North and South Carolina. The predominance of
anchovies, herring, and small jacks in the Spanish mackerel diet
demonstrates major predation on small, schooling pelagic fish *44*.
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
Spanish mackerel juveniles are primarily pelagic carnivores. Analysis of
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, spanish
Species Id M010504
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
A
J
G Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Open water [pelagic zone]
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
L Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
G Estuarine habitat zone: offshore
A Estuarine habitat zone: offshore
J Estuarine habitat zone: bay
J Estuarine habitat zone: sound
J 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
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
TEMPERATURE: The Spanish mackerel's northern range extends only to the 20
deg C isotherm within the 18 m depth contour. During years of warm water
temperatures, Spanish mackerel have been reported as far north as North
Bay, Massachusetts. Water temperatures of 21 to 27 deg C are preferred by
the Spanish mackerel; rarely are they observed in waters cooler than 18
deg C.
SALINITY: All life stages of Spanish mackerel usually inhabit waters
within salinities of 32 to 36 ppt. Spanish mackerel usually avoid
freshwater or low salinities near the mouths of rivers. Exceptions were
reported when young mackerel were collected in a salinity of 4.7 ppt in the
Neuse River, North Carolina. Other investigators have reported juveniles
in low salinities (17.8 and 0.2 ppt).
HABITAT: Spanish mackerel inhabit offshore waters, waters along beaches,
and the outer waters of estuaries.
HABITAT ZONE: Spanish mackerel inhabit offshore waters, bays, sounds, and
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
the outer waters of estuaries. They avoid the mouths of freshwater rivers
*44*.
COMMENTS ON RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
TEMPERATURE: The Spanish mackerel's northern range extends only to the 20
deg C isotherm within the 18 m depth contour. During years of warm water
temperatures, Spanish mackerel have been reported as far north as North
Bay, Massachusetts. Water temperatures of 21 to 27 deg C are preferred by
the Spanish mackerel; rarely are they observed in waters cooler than 18
deg C.
SALINITY: All life stages of Spanish mackerel usually inhabit waters
within salinities of 32 to 36 ppt. Spanish mackerel usually avoid
freshwater or low salinities near the mouths of rivers. Exceptions were
reported when young mackerel were collected in a salinity of 4.7 ppt in the
Neuse River, North Carolina. Other investigators have reported juveniles
in low salinities (17.8 and 0.2 ppt).
HABITAT: Spanish mackerel inhabit offshore waters, waters along beaches,
and the outer waters of estuaries.
HABITAT ZONE: Spanish mackerel inhabit offshore waters, bays, sounds, and
the outer waters of estuaries. They avoid the mouths of freshwater rivers
*44*.
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
TEMPERATURE: Few mackerel spawn at water temperatures below 26 deg C.
In Texas, mackerel spawned when water temperatures exceeded 25 deg C.
SALINITY: In Texas, Spanish mackerel spawned at salinites between 30 and
36 ppt.
DEPTH: Collections of small larvae indicate that Spanish mackerel spawn
over the Inner Continental Shelf in waters 12-34 m deep. In the
northeastern Gulf of Mexico off northwest Florida, most larvae were
collected in water shallower than 13 m, although some were in water as deep
as 91.5 m. All larvae collected along the west coast of Florida were taken
inside the 50 m depth contour; most were within the 20 m contour *44*.
COMMENTS ON RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
SALINITY: Juvenile Spanish mackerel have been collected from low salinity
estuaries and high salinity beach waters. A Spanish mackerel 58 mm long
was collected from Sabot Pond, Louisiana, at a salinity of 0.2 ppt.
Juveniles (133-158 mm SL) were collected along high salinity (33.8 ppt)
beaches and low salinity (12.8-19.7 ppt) bayous in Tampa Bay, Florida.
HABITAT ZONE: Some juvenile Spanish mackerel use estuaries as nursery
grounds, but most stay nearshore in open beach waters *44*.
COMMENTS ON RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
DEPTH: Collections of small larvae indicate that Spanish mackerel spawn
over the Inner Continental Shelf in waters 12-34 m deep. In the
northeastern Gulf of Mexico off northwest Florida, most larvae were
collected in water shallower than 13 m, although some were in water as deep
as 91.5 m. All larvae collected along the west coast of Florida were taken
inside the 50 m depth contour; most were within the 20 m contour *44*.
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
MORPHOLOGY/IDENTIFICATION AIDS: Spanish mackerel have compressed, elongated
bodies about 4.5 to 5.0 times as long as they are deep. The first dorsal
fin is triangular; the second fin is concave and originates a short
distance in front of the anal fin, which is similar in form and size. These
are followed by eight or nine dorsal and anal finlets. The lateral line is
wavy, and the caudal peduncle is keeled. The caudal fin is lunate, and the
pectorals are not covered with scales.
Spanish mackerel are dark blue or blue-green above, pale and silvery below.
Their sides are marked with many small, oblong, dull orange or yellowish
spots that are prominent both above and below the lateral line. The
membrane is black on the anterior one-third of the first dorsal fin and the
posterior is greenish-white. The second dorsal and the pectoral fins are
pale yellow with dusky edges. The anal and ventral fins are white.
SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATIONS: Spanish mackerel are migratory,
generally moving northward each spring, spending summer in the northern part
of their range, and migrating south in fall. In spring, summer, and fall
they are most abundant in the northern Gulf of Mexico and along the east
coast of the United States up to Virginia. Their major wintering grounds
are off south Florida, but some overwinter off the east coast of Mexico.
Spanish mackerel from different geographical areas may mix in south Florida
during the winter. In summer, the south Atlantic and eastern Gulf of Mexico
populations spawn in isolation in the northern parts of their ranges.
Electrophoretic patterns of two hemoglobin phenotypes demonstrated that
northwestern gulf fish are distinct from fish captured along the U.S. east
coast.
SPAWNING: Spanish mackerel spawn over a protracted season. Ripe females
have been collected from April through September in Florida waters. Larvae
have been collected from spring until late summer in the eastern Gulf of
Mexico, and from May through mid-September from Cape Fear, North Carolina,
to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The onset of spawning progresses from south to north. Spawning begins in
April in the Carolinas, in mid-June in Chesapeake Bay, and from late August
to late September off Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and Long Island, New York.
Few mackerel spawned at water temperatures below 26 deg C. In Texas,
mackerel spawned when water temperatures exceeded 25 deg C and at salinities
between 30 and 36 ppt. Spanish mackerel apparently spawn at night.
Collections of small larvae indicate that Spanish mackerel spawn over the
Inner Continental Shelf in waters 12-34 m deeps. In the northeastern Gulf
of Mexico off northwest Florida, most larvae were collected in water
shallower than 13 m, although some were in water as deep as 91.5 m. All
larvae collected along the west coast of Florida were taken inside the 50 m
depth contour; most were within the 20 m contour.
MATURITY AND FECUNDITY: Spanish mackerel in south Florida become sexually
mature in their second and third year of life (Ages I and II) when about 250
to 350 mm FL. In southeast Florida, the length of most mature males and
females ranges between 325 and 349 mm FL; all fish larger than 375 mm FL
were mature. Mature females as small as 250 mm Fl and mature males between
280 and 340 mm FL were found. It was estimated that most of these fish were
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
1 or 2 years old. On the other hand, it was reported that all of these ages
were overestimated by one year because the first annulus was misread;
therefore, fish less than 1 year old may have been mature. Many Age I fish
had ripe oocytes, but observations in the April-September spawning season
suggested that the eggs of Age I fish were not advanced enough to be spawned
that season. Spanish mackerel Age III and older constitute the bulk of the
spawning stock.
The fecundity of Spanish mackerel in southeast Florida increases with
increasing length and weight. Egg number estimates ranged from 194,000 to
1,491,000 for females 354 to 664 mm FL. Reportedly 1.5 million eggs were
collected from a 6-lb (2.7 kg) female collected from Chesapeake Bay.
EGGS, LARVAE, AND JUVENILES: The eggs of Spanish mackerel are pelagic,
smooth, and transparent, with a single oil droplet. Eggs are round and
about i mm (0.9 - 1.3 mm) in diameter; The perivitelline space (the clear
space inside the egg between the chorion and the oil globule) is about 0.1
mm across, and the oil globule is 0.25 mm in diameter. Hatching takes place
after about 25 hr at a temperature of 26 deg C. Most larvae have been
collected in coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the
United States.
Juvenile Spanish mackerel have been collected from low salinity estuaries
and high salinity beach waters. A Spanish mackerel 58 mm long was collected
from Sabot Pond, Louisiana, at a salinity of 0.2 ppt. Juveniles (133 to 158
mm SL) were collected along high salinity (33.8 ppt) beaches and low
salinity (12.8 to 19.7 ppt) bayous in Tampa Bay, Florida. Apparently, some
juvenile Spanish mackerel use estuaries as nursery grounds, but most stay
nearshore in open beach waters.
LONGEVITY AND GROWTH: The growth of larval and juvenile Spanish mackerel
has not been measured in the laboratory. The protracted spawning season
makes it difficult to estimate growth from length distributions. Larvae 4
mm long were collected as early as June off North Carolina; some juveniles
were 80 mm long by October.
By determining age and growth from otoliths in south Florida, it was
determined that females grow faster than males. The average length of Age
II fish reported in 1959, however, is about equal to the average length of
Age I fish reported in 1975. One author probably misread the first annulus.
Spanish mackerel of the same age are smaller in the southwestern Gulf of
Mexico than in south Florida. Other researchers also used otoliths to
determine age, but the data for both sexes was combined. One author
reported average FLs of 333, 408, 471, 543, and 593 for Ages II-VI,
respectively, and an estimated asymptotic length of 860 mm FL. Estimated
average total lengths (TL) reported by other authors for Ages I-VI were 262,
426, 475, 512, 575, and 638 mm, respectively.
The life span of Spanish mackerel is about 5 to 8 years. The total annual
mortality rate based on 1975 data was estimated at 0.62, which approximates
the rate calculated for Spanish mackerel taken off the Mexican coast (0.59)
*44*.
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Foraging Sites: Standing water: Profundal zone
Breeding Spawning Season: April
Breeding/Spawning Season: May
Breeding/Spawning Season: June
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Breeding/Spawning Season: July
Breeding/Spawning Season: August
Breeding/Spawning Season: September
Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: Grea
Gestation/Incubation Period: 1-2 days
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 44
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
Date 27 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
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 fishery
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
GM&SAFMC. 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.
A maximum sustainable yield of 27 million lb for Spanish mackerel was
established by the fisheries management plan. Sport and commercial catch
statistics from the National Marine Fisheries Service reveal that only about
half of the maximum sustainable yield was landed in 1979 *44*.
Spanish mackerel are primarily captured with gill nets deployed from small
boats 20 to 22 feet long, and with power rollers used on large boats 30 to
60 feet long. Since 1976, commercial production on the gulf coast has
fluctuated between 1.5 and 3.5 million lb, and production on the Atlantic
coast has fluctuated between 3.4 and 11 million lb. The causes of
fluctuation in catch cannot be identified because there are no
catch-per-unit-of-effort data.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species mackerel, spanish
Species Id M010504
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.
182 * Manooch, Charles S. III. 1984. Fisherman's Guide to the
Fishes of the Southeastern United States. North Carolina State
Museum of Natural History Raleigh, North Carolina:362.
198 * Lukens, Ronald. 1989. Spanish Mackerel Fishery Management
Plan (Gulf of Mexico). 19Ronald Lukens (ed.). Gulf States Marine
Fisheries Management Ocean Springs, MS.
References - 1