Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Studies on mackerel: Fat variations—and certain biological aspects

  • Published:
Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Summary

It is observed that there are two peaks of increase in fat content. One is in the months of October-November when the catches comprise mostly 16 to 20 cm. size group, and another is in March-April when the group comprises of sizes 20cm. and above.

The major fatty condition is attributable to the feeding activity of all sizes of fish. The minor fatty condition during March-April is due to the intensive feeding of the adult group of fish.

Any fish caught in October-November (mostly 16·1 to 20·0cm. and the samll proportion of 20·1cm. and above size) is quite fatty and this fat condition must be taken into consideration in its proper utilisation for salting, freezing, canning, fishmeal preparation, etc. The fish that are fatty during March-May are above 20·1 cm. and are almost mature. The fish are fatty before spawning and lean after spawning.

The fat in immature ones (160·cm. and less) never rises above 3% in flesh whereas in the mature ones it is as high as 8·5%. The corresponding figures for the whole fish are 2·32% and 12·5%.

The variations in fat content of individuals according to sexes and gonads, and at different times of the year are also indicated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Arevalo, A. “Variations in the chemical composition of the Sawel (Trachurus trachurus),”Chem Abs., 1949, No. 43, 3115.

  2. Atwater, W. O.Report U.S. Commissioner Fish., 1888,16, 679–868.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bruce, J. R. “Changes in the chemical composition of the tissues of the herring in relation to age and maturity,”Biochem. Jour., 1924,18, 469–85.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Brocklesby, H. N. “The chemistry and technology of marine animal oils with particular reference to those of Canada,”Bull. No. LIX of the Fisheries Research Bd., Can. (Ottawa), 1941, p. 442.

  5. Bull, H. O. “Aarsberetn. Vedk. Norger Fiskerier, 1913, quoted by J. Hjort Fluctuations in the Great Fisheries of Northern Europe,”Rapports Et. Proces. Verbaux, 1914,20, 1–228.

    Google Scholar 

  6. — “The relationship between state of maturity and chemical composition of the whiting,”Jour. Marine Biol. Assn., 1928,15, 207–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Channon, H. J. and El. Saby, M. K. “Fat metabolism of the herring. I. A preliminary survey,”Biochem. Jour., 1932,26, 2021–34.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Chari, S. T. “Nutritive values of some of the West coast food fishes of the Madras Province,”Ind. Jour. Med. Res., 1948,36, 253–59.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Chidambaram, K. “Food of the Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta Russel) of the West coast of Madras Presidency,”Curr. Sci., 1944, August,13, 214–15.

    Google Scholar 

  10. — and Devidas Menon, M. “The correlation of the West coast (Malabar and South Kanara) Fisheries with plankton and certain oceanographical factors,”Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1945,22, 355–67.

    Google Scholar 

  11. — and Venkataraman, R. S.Tabular Statements on the Natural History of certain Marine Food Fishes of the Madras Presidency West coast. Government Press, Madras, 1946, 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Corbin, P. G. “The Spawning of Mackerel,Scomber scombrus L. and Pilchard,Clupea pilchardus Walbaum, in the Celtic Sea in 1937–39,”Jour. Mar. Biol. Assn., 1947,27 (1), 65–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Devanesen, D. W. and John, V. “On the Natural History ofRastrelliger kanagurta (Russel) with special reference to its spawning season and eggs,”Curr. Sci., 1940,9 (10), 462–64.

    Google Scholar 

  14. - and Chidambaram, K.The Common Food Fishes of the Madras Presidency, Government Press, 1948.

  15. Hjort, J. “Rapports Et. Proces. Verbaux: Conseil Permanent International Pour Exploration,De La Mer.”, 1914,20, 1–228.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hornell, J. “The results of a fishery cruise along the Malabar coast and to the Laccadive Islands in 1905,”Madras Fish. Bull. No. 4, 1910, 71–126.

  17. Jordan, D.S. “Fishes”, Appleton & Co., New York, 1925,I–XIII, 773.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lovern, J. A. and Wood, H. “Variation in the chemical composition of Herring,”Jour. Mar. Biol. Assn. (U.K.), 1937,22, 281–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. MacIntosh, W. C. and Masterman, A. T.The Life-Histories of the British Marine Food Fishes, C. J. Clay & Sons, London, 1897,I–XV, 516.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Madras Government Fisheries Administration Report for the year 1939–40. Superintendent, Government Press, 1940.

  21. Meek, A.The Migrations of Fish, Edward Arnold, London, 1916,I–XVIII, 427.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Milroy, T. H. Quoted by Channon and Saby (1906 and 1908),vide 7 above.

  23. Oya, T., Usui, Y., and Sukegawa, T. “On the fat content ofSardinia melanosticta,”Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Fish., 1937,5, 308–10.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sekharan, K. V. “Feeding and maturity in relation to fats in the muscles of the rainbow sardineDussumieria acuta (Cuv. and Val.),”Jour. Mad. Univ., 1949,18, 38–48.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Stansby, M. E. and Lemon, J. M. “Studies on the handling of fresh mackerels (Scomber scombrus),”U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service Research Report, 1941, No. 1, 1–46.

  26. Steven, G. A. “Contribution to the Biology of the MackerelScomber scombrus L. II. A study of the fishery in the South-West of England, with special reference to spawning, feeding, and fisheries signs,”Jour. Mar. Biol. Assoc. (U.K.), 1949,28 (3), 555–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Steven, G. A. and Corbin, P. G. “Mackerel Investigation at Plymouth—Preliminary Report,” 1939,”Rapports et. Proces Verbaux,Volume C, 11, 15–36.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Venkataraman, R. and Chari, S. T. “Seasonal Variation in the Chemical Composition of mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)”,Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1951,33, 126–34.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Wilson, D. P. “Seasonal variations in fat contents of the Flounder,”Jour. Mar. Biol. Assoc., 1939,23, 361–79.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Wimpenny, R. S. “A routine method of estimation of fat in plankton and its application to herring tissues,”Jour. du conseil, 1938,13 (3), 338–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries, Madras

    K. Chidambaram, C. G. Krishnamurthy, R. Venkataraman & S. T. Chari

Authors
  1. K. Chidambaram
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. G. Krishnamurthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Venkataraman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. T. Chari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by Dr. N. K. Panikkar,f.a.sc.

Published with the kind permission of the Director of Fisheries, Madras.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chidambaram, K., Krishnamurthy, C.G., Venkataraman, R. et al. Studies on mackerel: Fat variations—and certain biological aspects. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 35, 43–68 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050011

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050011

Keywords

Search

Navigation