Beyond the Can: Why We’re Filling Coolers with SPAM for Science

Collaborate, Design, and Launch: SPAM, the Sampling Program for Atlantic Mackerel

Atlantic mackerel are an ecologically important forage fish and support recreational and commercial fisheries valued at approximately $23 million annually. This species, however, has been understudied for the past 50 years. To address this, we launched a new Atlantic Mackerel Cooperative Research Initiative (MackPack). Fishing community members and researchers collaboratively developed this program to improve our understanding of Atlantic mackerel population dynamics in New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

The first MackPack research component to get off the ground is the Sampling Program for Atlantic Mackerel (SPAM).SPAM seeks to bridge the data gap by partnering with recreational and commercial fishermen. Together, we collect critical biological data on mackerel. Collaborating fishermen collect whole mackerel from Maine to North Carolina that we bring back to the lab to measure and weigh individual fish, as well assess reproductive maturity, sex, and age. This creates new data points that aim to reduce assessment uncertainties and improve management.

The Science Behind the Program

The goal of SPAM is to characterize the spawning seasonality of Atlantic mackerel on the US continental shelf. This data will be used to calculate and track the gonadosomatic index, an indicator of spawning stage. Measuring and tracking the spawning stage of mackerel throughout the year will allow us to estimate the specific times that are most important for mackerel spawning. This information will help improve the confidence and accuracy of estimates of annual mackerel egg production, which is a major component of the Atlantic mackerel stock assessment. The participation and help of the recreational fleet is critical to enable the weekly collection of mackerel year-round.

Getting the Full Picture

In areas like the Gulf of Maine, mackerel often move into shallower, coastal waters in the summer months. In these areas, the recreational fleet serves as a critical source for mackerel samples. By engaging with charter captains, fishing guides, and local anglers, SPAM captures biological data from areas that are otherwise impossible to sample. This ensures our science reflects the full geographic range of the species.

How you can participate!

When fishermen provide samples to this program, they contribute directly to the "ground truth" that informs management. This collaboration ensures that we design and launch new initiatives with a complete picture-one that values the expertise and reach of every person on the water. SPAM aims to collect samples of about 50 whole fish from recreational and commercial fishing vessels each week for two years (2026-2028). The collection is targeted from Maine to Virginia. Participating captains receive coolers (complete with gel ice packs, sample bags, and pre-paid shipping labels) at the start of the month. Captains are compensated for the mackerel that they collect for this project. The SPAM team at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center coordinates sample collections with captains via email, phone, or text and participants receive regular project updates.

To sign up for SPAM please fill out the Google Form or contact Katie Viducic (401) 646-9122

For more information on participation please contact: Anna Mercer