Fisheries Infosite

Blue Mackerel Challenger, Central(West), Auckland(West) (EMA7)
Maori name
Scientific name
Scomber australasicus

Physical characteristics

Blue Mackerel have blue-green backs with dark wavy lines and silvery-white undersides. They can grow to a length of 55 cm, but average from 30-55 cm.

Life cycle

Blue Mackerel have a maximum age of 24 years. Sexual maturity is reached at 28 cm in length or 2 years old. They are serial spawners, with many batches of eggs released over several months.

Habitat

Blue Mackerel are found throughout New Zealand, though most commonly in the northern areas. They feed on copepods, larval crustaceans and molluscs, fish eggs, and fish larvae.

 
Key statistics
Recreational significance Low
Customary significance Low
Reported commercial catch1 (tonnes)
Quota value estimate2 (NZ$m)
Exports estimate2 (NZ$m)
1 Reported commercial catch is calculated for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025
2 Quota value and exports are calculated pro-rata to reported commercial catch for the 12 month period to 30/09/2025