Swordfish

Swordfish

Mekajiki, Kajiki-Maguro

Swordfish are found throughout the world’s oceans where surface waters are warmer than 13°C. The latitudinal range of Swordfish extends from approximately 50° North to 45° South. Swordfish are highly migratory and adults are found year-round in most parts of the distributional range, but in greatest abundance in areas of rich production where small pelagic prey are plentiful, such as frontal zones, merging currents, and temperature and salinity gradients. Swordfish reach a maximum total length 455 cm and a maximum weight of 650 kg, although individuals taken commercially in the Pacific are typically no longer than 120-190 cm. Females are larger than males, and nearly all specimens over 140 kg are female. Pacific swordfish are larger than western Atlantic swordfish, which grow to 320 kg, and Mediterranean swordfish, which are rarely over 230 kg. Swordfish are prolific egg producers; a large female can produce 30 million eggs annually and attain sexual maturity at 5-6 years of age. This species is known to live at least 9 years.

Swordfish are considered inherently resilient to fishing pressure because their populations grow relatively quickly. In addition, swordfish are characterized by an early to moderate age at first maturity, high growth rates, and moderate maximum age. Extremely high fecundity and a worldwide distribution also enable this species to support fishing pressure.

In the North Atlantic, swordfish is not overfished, and overfishing is not occurring. The stock has improved in recent years, and recent biomass trends are increasing. Overall, the status of the North Atlantic swordfish stock is deemed ‘moderate’, and it is still slightly below BMSY. In the eastern Pacific Ocean, swordfish is not overfished, overfishing is not occurring, and standardized catch per unit effort data indicate an increasing trend; thus, the stock is considered ‘healthy’. Overall the category receives a ‘moderate’ rating.

There is no bycatch in the harpoon fishery and minimal bycatch in the handline fishery.

Harpoons and handlines have negligible habitat effects.

U.S. management is deemed highly effective in part due to bycatch mitigation measures including a closed area in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone to protect undersize swordfish, and adequate enforcement.

Where is this swordfish from?
How was it caught?

Only harpoon or handline caught swordfish from the US Pacific, Canadian Atlantic or US Atlantic are a “Best Choice”

Consumption advisory due to mercury. + Women should not eat at all + Kids up to age 12 should not eat at all + Men should eat no more than 1 meal per month

Yes. The North West Atlantic Canada swordfish harpoon fishery operating in the NAFO (North Atlantic Fisheries Organization) areas 3, 4, 5, & 6 as well as outside the NAFO Convention Area, in the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) Northern Swordfish Boundary Area was certified as sustainable by the MSC on June 18, 2010.

The US Pacific region is not part of this certification.