The Atlantic mackerel is native to both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic, it ranges along the continental shelf from Labrador south to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
The Atlantic Mackerel is typically an open ocean fish. They travel in schools that often contain thousands of fish. Mackerel have a streamlined body and swim at high speeds for extended periods of time searching for food. All individuals within a specific school tend to be the same size. Mackerel may grow as large as 7 1/2 pounds and have a maximum age of about 20 years.
Mackerel are available fresh as well as frozen, salted, smoked, and canned.