Latin Name: Tracherus declivis, T. novaezelandiae, T. murphyi
Weight: 0.2–0.8kg (up to 1.5kg)
Length: 15–45cm
Family: Carangidae (trevallies, kingfishes). Jack mackerel in NZ includes three closely related species, commonly referred to as jack, horse, and slender mackerel.
- Wild Caught
- Farmed
Location
Jack mackerel are found widely around New Zealand waters. They are pelagic schooling fish that feed mainly on crustaceans.
- Occur in coastal and offshore environments
- Found at depths of up to around 300 metres
- Different species are distributed across:
- Northern waters (horse mackerel)
- Central and southern areas (slender mackerel)
They are often found in schools in mid-water and near the surface, particularly in harbours, bays, and offshore waters.
Sustainability
Jack mackerel are managed under New Zealand’s Fisheries Act and the Quota Management System (QMS).
- Managed as a single group (JMA) comprising three species
- Divided into three main fish stocks:
- JMA 1 (north)
- JMA 3 (east coast)
- JMA 7 (west coast)
This management framework ensures the fishery is monitored and managed for long-term sustainability.
Fishery Overview
Jack mackerel is a targeted mid-water fishery in New Zealand.
- Around three-quarters of catch is taken by mid-water trawling off the west coast
- About one-quarter is taken by purse seine vessels in the northeast
- Also caught in smaller quantities in:
- South-eastern waters
- Sub-Antarctic waters
Jack mackerel is primarily targeted, although some catch also occurs as bycatch in other fisheries, including squid trawl fisheries.
The fishery is characterised by low levels of environmental impact.
Fishing Methods
Fishing Methods
Seine
Trawl
Fishing Season
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JAN
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FEB
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MAR
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APR
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MAY
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JUN
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JUL
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AUG
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SEP
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OCT
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NOV
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DEC
Nutrition
Source: Biotin (Vitamin B7), Iodine, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium
Good Source: Niacin (Vitamin B3), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Selenium, Omega-3 fatty acids
Seafood is a highly nutritious food and is a great source of protein. Many species are low in saturated fat and a number of them are a good source of Omega 3.
Did you know?
While they look like small baitfish, they grow up to 50 cm in length and are remarkably long-lived. They typically live between 25 and 32 years of age.
Jack mackerel may be relatively small fish, but they are economically significant – they were reported as one of New Zealand’s most valuable seafood exports in 2020
Cooking Tips
Jack mackerel flesh is oily, dark, but lightens on cooking and is suited to most cooking methods. Try it:
- baked
- barbecued
- in a casserole
- in a curry
- marinated
- poached
- smoked
- steamed
