Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFrozen
Industry PositionPrimary Seafood Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupPelagic marine fish (Carangidae)
Scientific NameTrachurus murphyi
PerishabilityHigh (requires strict time/temperature control; frozen product quality depends on maintaining at or below -18°C throughout the cold chain).
Growing Conditions- Wild-caught marine pelagic species in the South Pacific; availability influenced by oceanographic variability and managed fishing opportunity.
- Distributed across the South Pacific, including coastal South America and the wider South Pacific toward New Zealand/Tasmania, depending on stock distribution.
Main VarietiesChilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi), Jack and horse mackerel group (Trachurus spp.) used in HS 030355 classifications
Consumption Forms- Frozen headless/"dressed" fish for further processing (e.g., filleting) and wholesale distribution
- Canned fish supply chains in some markets
- Alternative utilization depending on market conditions, including reduction uses in integrated pelagic industries
Grading Factors- Species identity verification and labeling accuracy
- Size/weight grading (count/weight bands)
- Workmanship defects (damage, dehydration/freezer burn, presence of foreign matter)
- Evidence of thawing or temperature abuse; internal temperature verification on receipt
- Sensory condition and defect checks for oxidation/rancidity where relevant
Market
Frozen headless jack mackerel is a globally traded wild-caught pelagic fish product, commonly supplied from the South Pacific fishery for Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi). Supply availability is strongly shaped by fisheries management (catch limits, seasonal controls, and monitoring) and by the ability of fleets and processors to maintain an uninterrupted frozen cold chain. In trade statistics, this product family is typically captured under HS 030355 (Trachurus spp.), with separate sub-codes used in some jurisdictions (e.g., EU Combined Nomenclature for Trachurus murphyi). Market risks are concentrated around stock/quota decisions, IUU exposure in parts of the supply chain, and quality loss from temperature abuse and lipid oxidation typical of fatty pelagic species.
Major Producing Countries- 페루Significant Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) landings reported in Peru; OECD cites 2022 landings for this species in Peru.
- 칠레Core coastal origin for Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) in the South Pacific, within the range of the SPRFMO-managed stock.
- 뉴질랜드Part of the species’ South Pacific distribution; fisheries may supply product depending on national management and availability.
- 중국Distant-water fleets participate in South Pacific jack mackerel fisheries outside EEZs; activity and access depend on SPRFMO rules and allocations.
- 러시아Distant-water fleets participate in South Pacific jack mackerel fisheries outside EEZs; activity and access depend on SPRFMO rules and allocations.
Major Exporting Countries- 칠레Key origin for internationally traded frozen Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) products captured under HS 030355 / EU CN sub-codes.
- 페루Key origin for frozen jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) supply, supported by industrial capture and onshore processing for export channels.
Specification
Major VarietiesChilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi)
Physical Attributes- Frozen presentation typically traded as whole, headed, or headed-and-gutted ("dressed"); this record focuses on headless presentation within the frozen category.
- Oily pelagic fish; quality is sensitive to temperature abuse, dehydration, and oxidative rancidity during frozen storage.
Compositional Metrics- Time/temperature control is central to preventing chemical decomposition (including rancidity) and limiting toxin risks associated with temperature abuse.
- Buyer specifications commonly include internal temperature verification on receipt for frozen lots and defect/sensory checks aligned with Codex-oriented defect action approaches.
Packaging- Bulk master cartons with food-grade inner liners for frozen distribution; commonly palletized for reefer container logistics.
- Frozen lots are typically handled in cold stores and shipped with temperature monitoring records for verification.
ProcessingHeading (deheading) and optional gutting to create headless/dressed presentations, followed by rapid freezing and frozen storage at or below -18°C.Glazing and moisture-loss control are commonly used to reduce dehydration/freezer burn and protect surface quality during storage.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Capture (pelagic fleets) -> onboard chilling/holding -> landing -> sorting/grading -> heading (headless preparation) -> washing -> freezing -> glazing/pack -> cold storage -> reefer transport -> importer cold store -> wholesale/processing distribution
Temperature- Frozen fish should be maintained at or below -18°C (0°F) throughout storage, transport, and retail handling; internal temperatures should be checked and recorded from multiple locations in shipments.
- Rapid freezing and minimizing delays before freezing help preserve quality and extend shelf-life by limiting microbial and undesirable chemical reactions.
Shelf Life- Key quality defects in frozen storage include chemical decomposition (rancidity) and dehydration/freezer burn; risks increase with temperature excursions and long storage times.
Risks
Fisheries Management HighSupply can be abruptly constrained by stock assessment outcomes and SPRFMO conservation and management measures (including catch limits, reporting rules, and compliance requirements) governing the South Pacific fishery for Trachurus murphyi.Diversify approved origins and fleet/processor partners, track SPRFMO decisions and catch uptake in-season, and align contracts with quota/closure contingencies.
Cold Chain Integrity MediumTemperature abuse can cause thawing/refreezing damage and accelerate defects such as rancidity and dehydration; Codex guidance emphasizes verification of internal temperatures and maintaining frozen seafood at or below -18°C.Require continuous temperature logging, verify internal temperatures on receipt, and use validated packaging/glazing and cold-store practices to reduce dehydration and oxidation.
IUU Compliance MediumIUU fishing can introduce legal, reputational, and market-access risks; global frameworks such as the FAO Port State Measures Agreement target IUU by restricting port use and landings for offending vessels, affecting supply chain legitimacy.Apply vessel and catch documentation screening (flag, authorization, transshipment controls), require traceability to authorized lists, and prefer suppliers aligned with PSMA-style port controls and independent audits.
Species Substitution And Mislabeling MediumSpecies substitution and product mislabeling have been reported in markets where products labeled as "jurel"/jack mackerel were alleged to be made from other fish species, creating fraud and regulatory exposure.Use validated species identification controls (documentation + periodic DNA testing), ensure label/legal name compliance in destination markets, and audit suppliers for identity preservation.
Labor Rights MediumForced labour has been documented as a challenge in commercial fishing globally, and weak labor governance can create buyer and regulator scrutiny for seafood supply chains.Adopt labor due diligence aligned with ILO guidance, require supplier codes of conduct, and verify working conditions through credible third-party social audits and grievance mechanisms.
Sustainability- Fisheries stock status and quota-based management under SPRFMO frameworks for South Pacific jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi).
- Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing risk exposure in global capture fisheries supply chains; port-state controls and documentation are central risk controls.
- Climate and ocean variability (e.g., shifting distributions and productivity in the South Pacific) can affect availability, fleet behavior, and management responses.
Labor & Social- Forced labour and poor working conditions risks exist in parts of commercial fishing globally; buyers increasingly require social compliance due diligence and vessel-level transparency.
- Worker safety risks at sea and in cold-chain processing (injury, fatigue, and occupational hazards) requiring auditable labor and safety management systems.
FAQ
What is the single biggest factor that can disrupt global supply of South Pacific jack mackerel?Fisheries management decisions are the biggest disruption risk: catch limits and compliance measures set under SPRFMO for Trachurus murphyi can tighten supply quickly if stock assessments, quota uptake, or enforcement actions change market access.
What temperature should frozen jack mackerel be held at in international handling?Codex guidance for fish and fishery products indicates frozen seafood should be maintained at or below -18°C (0°F), with internal temperatures checked and recorded from multiple points in each shipment to confirm cold-chain compliance.
How is frozen Chilean jack mackerel typically classified in EU trade nomenclature?The European Commission’s commercial designations database links Trachurus murphyi to EU Combined Nomenclature under the frozen fish chapter as Chilean jack mackerel within the jack/horse mackerel group (CN under 0303 55, with a specific line for Trachurus murphyi).