SECTION 10 

 Atlantic mackerel {Saombev scombvus) 



Life History Summary 



The Atlantic mackerel ranges from Labrador to North Carolina, in the 

 western North Atlantic Ocean (Berrien 1982). It spends the winter months near 

 the edge of the continental shelf from Sable Island Bank to south of the 

 Virginia Capes. Sette (1950) found that there are two different populations 

 which make up the entire group. The southern population overwinters between 

 Long Island and Chesapeake Bay, and the northern population overwinters 

 between Sable Island Bank and Long Island, depending on water temperatures. 

 The southern mackerel move inshore between Delaware Bay and Cape Hatteras 

 during March and April, and immediately begin a northerly migration. When 

 they reach the New York 8ight, usually by May, they spawn. They then continue 

 into the western Gulf of Maine, where they spend the summer. The northern 

 population temporarily may join the southern population as they migrate 

 through New England and over Nantucket Shoals. The two populations then split 

 as the northern population migrates to the east coast of Nova Scotia and 

 eventually moves into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where they spawn in June and 

 July. During autumn, the migration pattern is reversed with the northern 

 population leaving the Gulf of St. Lawarence during September and October, and 

 the southern population leaving the Gulf of Maine during October. By the time 

 both populations reach their respective overwintering areas, the two are again 

 segregated. Since the populations mix twice a year, it is doubtful that 

 genetic differences are maintained between the two groups (Sette 1950). 



!29 



