Spanish Mackerel

Photo: Nicolò Palumbo · CC BY-NC

Powerful schools of large Spanish mackerel arrive off Um Al Naasan from November through March when the cooler, clearer water brings baitfish close to the reef edge. They are among the fastest fish in the Gulf, capable of sustained sprints exceeding 60 km/h, and their feeding frenzies at the reef edge create dramatic underwater spectacles as the water boils with activity above and below. This species is among the most prized by Gulf recreational fishers, making intact populations like those here an increasingly rare sight.