Top Blue Jack Mackerel Fishing Countries

The blue jack mackerel (Trachurus picturatus), also known as the blue horse mackerel, is a pelagic fish found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including the waters off Europe and northwest Africa, as well as the Mediterranean. Recognized for its streamlined body and bluish-silver coloration, this species is an important resource for commercial fisheries. The top blue jack mackerel fishing countries include Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and the Canary Islands (Spain), where the species is harvested using purse seines, trawls, and other methods. These countries have developed robust fishing industries around the blue jack mackerel, exporting much of their catch for human consumption and fishmeal. The species is valued for its role in local diets and as a key economic resource, with management measures in place in many regions to ensure sustainable harvests.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.