Mackerel are proving elusive at the moment.

The overall biomass remains strong, but the main shoals have shifted further north in recent years. While Scotland has picked up some of the activity, significant volumes are now being seen in Scandinavian waters. As a result, we’re currently seeing very little landed in Cornwall.

The local line-caught season is now closed, and we’re hoping to see fish return from mid-March into early April though, as ever with wild fish, nature sets the timetable.

When they do arrive, nothing quite compares. Line-caught mackerel landed off the South West are typically smaller and beautifully clean in flavour, arriving ‘stiff-alive’ - a fishmonger’s term for exceptionally fresh. Scottish fish, when available, tend to be larger and noticeably fatter, offering rich, robust eating.

We’ll have them when they’re perfect and they’re always worth the wait.

Did you know…?
Mackerel migrate vast distances in search of food and the right water temperatures - which is why availability can shift dramatically from one coastline to another from year to year.