Species Profile
Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) is a small pelagic fish, typically 25–35 cm, found in warm coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. It is recognized by dark body bands, a forked tail, and adipose eyelids.
Fishery and Production
The Arabian Sea along India's west coast accounts for over 60% of global landings. Annual catches range from 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes, with India, Oman, Thailand, and Indonesia as key producers. Fishing relies mainly on purse seines, ring seines, and gillnets.
Trade and Markets
Frozen whole-round is the dominant export form. Major importers include Malaysia, Thailand, China, and Middle Eastern countries. Chilled, canned, dried, and value-added formats (fillets, marinated products) are also growing.
Processing Streams
Common processing includes: frozen whole-round, chilled fresh, canned, dried/salted, and value-added items such as ready-to-cook steaks and marinated fillets.
Nutrition and Demand
The fish offers high protein (18–20g per 100g) and omega-3 fatty acids. Its strong flavor once limited it to niche markets, but health trends are expanding its appeal.
Sustainability and Outlook
Stocks are generally resilient but face regional pressure from overfishing of juveniles and climate-driven shifts in migration. Key trends include adaptation to warming waters, rising domestic demand in India, product diversification for export, and stricter traceability requirements.
