116 MARINE FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



dried and salted. Technological studies aimed toward developing other 

 products should be undertaken in order to spread the marketing of these 

 species over a longer period. Development of other products might also in- 

 crease the value of the fish marketed fresh by preventing gluts or overloads. 



SPANISH MACKEREL 



Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitchill) 



Spanish mackerel is the most important member of the mackerel family 

 in the commercial fisheries of North Carolina. It is also a highly prized sport 

 or game fish. It is a smaller fish than its close relative, the kingfish or cero, 

 and it is more abundant in North Carolina waters. The Spanish mackerel is 

 found along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Brazil and also in the 

 Gulf of Mexico. It attains a size of nine to ten pounds, although Smith (1907) 

 reports a 25-pound fish from Chesapeake Bay. 



The Spanish mackerel is a migratory species and travels in schools. In the 

 spring, it migrates northward from its winter habitat in the southern waters. 

 Its winter habitat is not definitely known although Longley and Hildebrand 

 (1941) report that the species is abundant in the vicinity of Key West, 

 Florida, from November to April, the months when they are absent from 

 northern waters. The size of the wintering area is unknown, but the Spanish 

 mackerel is taken in commercial quantities all around the coast of Florida, 

 both Atlantic and Gulf, between these months of the winter period. 



A migration from the winter grounds to the Gulf and one up the Atlantic 

 coast coincide, starting in March and April. Gunter (1945) reports that 

 Spanish mackerel appear off the Texas coast in March. They spend the 

 summer in the Gulf and begin to leave in September; they become scarce by 

 November although a few individuals may be taken during the winter. The 

 largest catches are made in August. The Atlantic coast migration also begins 

 in late March and April and passes through North Carolina waters in May 

 and early June, the latter month producing the larger catches. They do not 

 reach New York waters until July, according to Bigelow and Welsh (1925). 

 Very few fish are taken during the summer in North Carolina, but the 

 southern migration in September and October supports a fall fishery. The fish 

 have grown in the northern waters during the summer, and are larger on 

 their return trip. The smallness of the fall catches is attributed to general ad- 

 verse and unstable weather conditions during this season, but occasionally a 

 break in the weather will permit large catches. 



Spanish mackerel are believed to spawn along the entire Atlantic coast, 

 although the principal spawning area is Chesapeake Bay. The fish, as they 

 begin the spring migration, are ready to spawn, but all the eggs in an indi- 

 vidual female do not ripen simultaneously, indicating that not all eggs' are 



