Short Mackerel
VU

Short Mackerel

Rastrelliger brachysoma

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_mackerel

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The short mackerel faces severe pressure from intensive commercial and artisanal fishing throughout its range, with catches declining significantly across Southeast Asian waters. Overfishing has reduced population sizes and disrupted spawning aggregations, while coastal development and pollution degrade critical nearshore nursery habitats. Climate change is altering ocean temperatures and currents, affecting the distribution of zooplankton that juveniles depend upon for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Short mackerel inhabit tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific, typically found in nearshore pelagic zones over continental shelves. They form large schools in waters 10-200 meters deep, moving between offshore feeding areas and shallow coastal spawning grounds.

Marine oceanic· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Short Mackerel classified as Vulnerable?
Short Mackerel is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The short mackerel faces severe pressure from intensive commercial and artisanal fishing throughout its range, with catches declining significantly across Southeast Asian waters. Overfishing has reduced population sizes and disrupted spawning aggregations, while coastal development and pollution degrade critical nearshore nursery habitats. Climate change is altering ocean temperatures and currents, affecting the distribution of zooplankton that juveniles depend upon for survival.
Where does Short Mackerel live?
Short Mackerel occurs in Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Thailand. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Short Mackerel?
The main threats to Short Mackerel are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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