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 the Ventisquero up with everything they need for the long journey. Often away for up to a week, the boat feels like a second home to the crew. And thanks to onboard chef Sandro, there’s always something tasty to nibble on!
Using sonar, the crew scans the ocean for large schools of jack mackerel. This 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 big, not too small. That’s how they make sure the fish tastes its best and the ecosystem stays better balanced.
The fishers cast the purse seine once they've spotted a school of jack mackerel. Because the net stays at the surface of the water, it doesn't damage the seabed. And because jack mackerel swim in dense schools made up almost entirely of their own species, by-catch stays minimal. The fishers don't catch the whole school in one go — that would be impossible! A single school can contain millions of fish and stretch for hundreds of metres!
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 this species couldn't agree on how to divide the catch quotas. As a result, Atlantic mackerel has been overfished for years. For us, that was a clear signal: we decided straight away to stop selling it. That's why we switched to Chilean jack mackerel, which is caught from well-managed fish stocks where quotas keep the population healthy. This keeps us true to our mission: to offer only fish of the highest quality and sustainability.
You can currently find our smoked Jack mackerel fillet at Albert Heijn in The Netherlands. 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!
Jack mackerel is a fish all of its own — full-bodied, firm-fleshed and full of flavour. Slightly leaner than Atlantic mackerel, which makes it surprisingly versatile in the kitchen.
Our Chilean jack mackerel is perfect for smoking, frying or adding to warm dishes like stews and fish pie. It keeps its firm bite well, even after further cooking.
And perhaps best of all: this jack mackerel is caught from well-managed fish stocks, where quotas keep catches in check and the fish population stays healthy. So you're not just choosing bold flavour — you're choosing a better way of fishing.
Our Jack mackerel is hot-smoked using beech wood 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 smokey flavour.
Curious about the full story? Watch the video on our fishery page and follow the journey of the Jack mackerel—from the sea to your plate!
Yes, Jack mackerel is a healthier choice compared to non-sustainable Atlantic mackerel! This fish is full of flavor but with fewer calories because it contains less fat. Additionally, Jack mackerel is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and even contains more protein than regular mackerel.
An added benefit: Jack mackerel contains significantly fewer harmful substances like mercury, because it stays smaller, lives shorter, and has a lower position in the food chain.
Our Jack mackerel is the perfect sustainable alternative to Atlantic mackerel and can be used in all your favourite smoked mackerel recipes. Chilean Jack 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 added into dishes like fish pie.
Need more inspiration? Take a look at our recipes here!
skipjack tuna
Sardines
Atlantic salmon
Anchovy
Herring
Cod
salmon
Wild sockeye salmon
Cod
Zeeland mussels
skipjack tuna
Albacore tuna
Albacore tuna