the area in which blue mackerel are located. However, egg and larvae probability of surviving decreases the further they are carried by the current. A mature blue mackerel is considered to be over long. Mackerel can live up to 7 years and grow up to in length, but are most commonly found to be between 1 and 3 years of age. Counting the marks on otoliths determines the age of blue mackerel. Human interactions The blue mackerel can be flighty and difficult to catch, especially in estuaries and harbors. From 300 to 500 million tons of blue mackerel have been caught annually since the mid 1980s, without many fluctuations from month-to-month catches. Blue mackerel are caught for both commercial and private use, for food as well as bait for tuna and other fish. Blue mackerel are often used as cat food, but are also consumed by humans smoked, grilled, or broiled. While easy to fillet and skin, they are difficult to debone, and care must be taken to avoid damaging their soft flesh. Blue mackerel are also commonly used as meat binders. After being freeze-dried, the protein is extracted and put into other meat products to keep the meat and seasonings bound tightly together, allowing costs to be lowered and enhancing the flavor and texture of the product. References External links Fitch JE (1956) "Pacific mackerel" CalCOFI Reports, 5 29–32. Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand 1982) California Department of Fish & Game, "California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Book" (University of California Press 2007) blue mackerel Fish of the Pacific Ocean Fish of Japan Fish of the Red Sea Fish of Asia Fish of Oceania blue mackerel blue mackerel