˙˙00˙ ˙00˙01˙03˙01The Scomber Scombrus˙00 ˙02 ˙˙ ˙03˙02PUH / AGONY ˙02˙01˙01˙00˙˙ "˙02. . .and a mackerel.˙01" (Hemingway, E., The Old Man and the Sea) ˙The Scomber Scombrus, better known and hereinafter referred to as the mackerel, is a widely spread and as widely appreciated fish which I guess most of you have heard of. This pelagic speed swimmer lives together with its alikes in great shoals near the surface. It spends its winters close to the bottoms of the North Sea and Skagerrak, and during this period, it eats but a little. When spring arrives, the hunger of the mackerel comes with it; small creatures, copepods and, for example, fish eggs are all on the menu. When all fed up, the mackerel tries for the shores of South England, France and the North Sea in order to give birth to new generations. An ordinary mating results in 200 000 - 450 000 pelagic eggs, most of which are hatched some six days later. They new - hatched fish search their way away from land, and they have, hopefully, reached the length of 21 centimetres when one year has passed. Having bred, the grown - ups spread and begin storing fat in shape of herring. The mackerel has but small teeth meant for grabbing and holding, and, thus, it swallows its prey without chewing (in one piece). As it, the mackerel, that is, has no swim bladder, it can move with the speed of light (minus a little) and do extremely sharp turns, everything without being harassed, assailed or vexed by changes in pressure. This rapidity is, for sure, useful as both piked dogfish (Squalus acathias), porbeagle (Lamna nasus (sounds familiar?)), tuna (Thynnus thynnus) and dolphin prey on it. The mackerel is, as Hemingway mentioned, hunted by man for its good meat. It is fished mostly with driftnet, hand line and trawl, and it is sold fresh, iced or smoke - cured. One to two - year - old mackerels are used when making conserved "Fish in Oil". It could be of interest to know that Yugoslavia caught some 1500 tons of mackerel in 1964. It could also be of interest to know that there will be a new fishie in Oepir Risti issue 6. ˙01˙03˙01"˙02AFTER ALL, KNOWLEDGE ISN'T HEAVY!˙01" ˙ ˙02- B. GUNNARSSON