Welcome to Coronel!
- Elvis Daniel Macaya Mendez
- Ringnets
- Since 2019
- Coronel, Chili
Fish Tales jack mackerel is caught in the coastal waters of Chile. A total of six boats head out in search of this delicious fish — including the Ventisquero, captained by our proud ambassador Elvis. Before setting sail into the Pacific Ocean, Elvis and his crew load up the Ventisquero with everything they need for the long journey. Since they’re often away for up to a week, the boat feels like a second home. And thanks to onboard chef Sandro, there’s always something tasty on the table!
Using sonar, the crew scans the ocean for large schools of jack mackerel. The technology doesn’t just help them find the fish — it also shows the size of the school. They only catch fish that are just the right size — not too small, not too big. That’s how they make sure the fish tastes its best and the ecosystem stays in balance.
Once the crew has located a school of jack mackerel, they release the purse seine net. Jack mackerel swim in dense schools made up almost entirely of their own kind — making the catch efficient and sustainable, with minimal bycatch! And no, the fishermen don’t catch the entire school at once — that would be impossible. A single school can contain millions of fish and stretch for hundreds of meters.
After the catch, part of the jack mackerel is shipped by boat to Volendam, where smoke master Jaap smokes the fish the traditional way. His craftsmanship and recipe give the fish a rich, distinctive flavor — the very same one you’ll find on shelves in Dutch supermarkets. Another part of the catch is canned in Coronel, right next to the harbor. Here, people from across the region work together to prepare the fish — keeping jobs and value within the local community.
Like many jack mackerel fishermen, our ambassador Elvis Daniel Macaya Mendez follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. “As a kid, I was always down at the harbor or on the beach — I’ve always loved the sea.” Now a captain, Elvis takes pride in his work, even though it means being away from home for more than half the year. “I’ve known the crew for so long, they feel like family.”
In 2019, Atlantic mackerel lost its MSC certification because the countries fishing for this species couldn't agree on the distribution of catch quotas. As a result, Atlantic mackerel has been overfished for years. For us, this was a clear signal, and we immediately decided to stop selling it. Luckily, we found a sustainable alternative in Chile, where horse mackerel is caught responsibly. This allows us to stay true to our mission of offering only fish of the highest quality and sustainability. Want to know more about this switch? Read it here!
You can currently find our smoked Jack mackerel fillet at Albert Heijn. Would you like to see this delicious fish at your local supermarket? Send them an email and let them know you're missing it! Who knows, our Jack mackerel might soon be available just around the corner!
In terms of flavor and texture, Jack mackerel and Atlantic mackerel are very similar, especially when smoked. Although they are officially different species that belong to separate families, you won't notice any difference in taste. Jack mackerel comes in many varieties, and our Jack mackerel is sustainably caught in Chile, where the stock has been carefully managed for years. Jack mackerel is often slimmer and smaller than Atlantic mackerel. The latter is recognizable by its distinctive tiger-like pattern on the side and beautiful green-blue color. Since Atlantic mackerel lost its MSC certification, horse mackerel is a fantastic alternative! Want to know more about this switch? Read it here!
Our Jack mackerel is hot-smoked using beechwood smoke. The fish is placed on trays in a large oven, where it is heated while smoke fills the space. This process gives the Jack mackerel its delicious, signature smoky flavor. Curious about the full story? Watch the video on our fishery page and follow the journey of the horse mackerel—from the sea to your plate!
Yes, Jack mackerel is a healthier choice compared to non-sustainable Atlantic mackerel! Because it contains less fat, this fish is full of flavor but with fewer calories. Additionally, Jack mackerel is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and even contains more protein than regular mackerel. An added benefit: Because horse mackerel stays smaller, lives shorter, and has a lower position in the food chain, it contains significantly fewer harmful substances like mercury.
Our Jack mackerel is the perfect sustainable alternative to Atlantic mackerel and can be used in all your favorite smoked mackerel recipes. Chilean horse mackerel is typically a bit firmer in texture and less fatty, making it not only delicious on its own but also ideal for stews or incorporated into dishes like fish pie. Need more inspiration? Check out the recipes here!
