Top Chilean Jack Mackerel Fishing Countries

The Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) is a pelagic fish species found primarily in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, known for its importance in global fisheries due to its abundance and value as a source of food and fishmeal. Characterized by its streamlined body and silvery coloration, the Chilean jack mackerel forms large schools, making it a prime target for industrial purse-seine and trawl fisheries. The top countries harvesting this species are Chile and Peru, which together account for the majority of the global catch, followed by China, Russia, and the European Union (notably Spain and the Netherlands) through distant-water fleets operating in international waters. The fishery is managed by the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) to address concerns over stock sustainability, as heavy exploitation in past decades led to significant population declines. Today, the Chilean jack mackerel remains a cornerstone of the fishing industries in these countries, supporting both domestic consumption and international trade.

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