Spanish mackerel

Spanish mackerel

　　Spanish mackerel belongs to the family Scombridae under the order Perciformes, and its scientific name is Scomberomorus niphonius. Common names for Scomberomorus niphonius also include swallow fish, horse mackerel, bamboo mackerel, pointed-head mackerel, and blue-green mackerel. The Spanish mackerel has an elongated, laterally compressed body with a shiny silver color. Its back features dark stripes or black-blue spots, and it has a large mouth, a pointed snout, and sharp teeth. It swims swiftly and is highly aggressive. It typically grows to a length of 260–520 mm, with larger individuals reaching over 1 meter in length and weighing more than 20 kg. It is distributed in the western part of the North Pacific and is found in China’s eastern, Yellow, and Bohai Seas. Spanish mackerel is a warm-water pelagic fish that feeds on small fish in the middle and upper water layers. During summer and autumn, they migrate in schools toward coastal waters, with some entering the Bohai Sea to spawn. In the autumn fishing season, they often gather in groups to feed near coastal islands and rocky reefs, making them one of the economically important fish species in northern sea areas.

　　Today, the main fishing grounds for Spanish mackerel are located off the coasts of Zhoushan, Lianyungang, and the southern Shandong coast. The spring fishing season runs from April to June, while the autumn season is from July to October, with the peak fishing period occurring between May and June. Fishing methods include drift nets, midwater trawling by motorized vessels, and hook-and-line fishing. In the abundant resource years of the 1950s and 1960s, the Bohai Bay during May and June was an ideal time for catching Spanish mackerel. Fishermen would set drift nets before sunset, with the floating nets and markers stretching for miles. By the next morning, catches of three to four thousand fish, each weighing three to four kilograms, were common and highly satisfying. Spanish mackerel are fierce by nature and are often seen chasing prey in shallow coastal waters from June to mid-October. Their streamlined bodies, high swimming speeds, and sharp teeth make them resemble cheetahs hunting their prey. Frightened small fish scatter in all directions, and sometimes, in panic, they leap onto coastal rocks, creating the spectacular sight of Spanish mackerel leaping out of the water to catch them. During this time, anglers are particularly enthusiastic, casting lines from rocks and boat sides in hopes of a catch. Spanish mackerel are large in size, strike the bait aggressively, and provide an exciting fishing experience, making them a favorite among anglers.