Horse mackerel, or scad as they are better known are an oily fish. They swim in shoals and can be caught in large quantities by boats using pelagic gear like a mid-water trawl or purse net.
Most of the scad landed in Newlyn are caught as a by-catch when netting or trawling. Occasionally, bottom trawlers will take large hauls when fishing on deeper water grounds like the smalls.
The fish have a tough but shiny skin and a spiny dorsal fin. They can be eaten and are most often grilled or baked in the same way that you might get the best out of their cousins, herring or mackerel. Like mackerel this might be a fish to try out in a sashimi dish.
