Think before consuming this fish and always respect sustainable sizes and seasons. Eat responsibly. Due to ineffective legislation that does not take into account the species biology, the legal size of this fish is substantially lower than the sustainable size. This makes it particularly important to respect the sustainable size shown. Globally it is declining;

While not generally considered toxic, like other Scombroid species, Scomber scombrus can pose a threat to human health if not processed and cooked correctly. This is known as Scombroid poisoning and is a result of these species containing large amounts of histamine in their tissues. However, cases of scombroid poisoning are more commonly associated with tuna. Scomber scombrus can also be infected by the parasite Anisakis simplex which is potentially dangerous to humans if the fish being eaten is raw or poorly cooked.

Elongated and fusiform bodyshape, with a cross-section that is oval. It has a bright bluish-green on the back with transverse black stripes, and silvery-white on the belly and lower flanks. There are no well developed corselet, the interpelvic process small and single. Its anal fin spine are conspicuous, with its origin opposite that of second dorsal fin, also joined to the fin by a membrane but clearly independent of it. It has no swim bladder and the first haemal spine anterior to first interneural process. Looks like: Scomber colias (Spanish mackerel): similar in body shape to the Atlantic mackerel, but with a wider space between the dorsal fins and spots on its sides and belly.

Larger females can lay around 2 million eggs, which they release in batches between 5 and 7 times during a spawning season!