Range and Habitat Mackerels are pelagic schooling fish, and are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Mackerels, as well as tunas, may be observed along rocky shores and over patch reefs as well as in offshore waters. The black skipjack tuna, Euthynnus lineatus , form schools in coastal waters and near offshore reefs. It is very similar to a frigate mackerel, but with a less slender shape and a narrower space between the dorsal fins. Natural History Mackerels are powerful swimmers.
Large schools feed on anchovies and herrings.
When the opportunity arises, they dash in to feast on recently released eggs of spawning fishes. Over the past 10 years, world catches fluctuated between about 5 and 6 million tons per year.