Pacific Bonito

Bonito populations fluctuate in accordance with the warm/cold water periods associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation.

Taxonomic description

• Head is pointed and conical with a large mouth.
• Has a compressed body with slanted dark stripes on their backs and upper sides.
• Lower jaw has 14-25 teeth, and is moderately large.
• Reaches 79-102 cm (31-40 in) in length and can weigh up to 11 kg (24 pounds). ^[4]
• Characterized by a large spleen and lack of swim bladder. ^[7]
• Was formerly considered subspecies of Sarda chiliensis. ^[18]

Distribution

• Ranges from the Pacific Ocean from the coast of Alaska all the way down to the tip of Baja California, Mexico. ^[9]

Life history

• Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 and have a maximum lifespan of 6 years. ^[2]
• Spawning generally occurs from late January until May. ^[11]

Habitat

• Bonito is a pelagic fish that lives 80-200 meters (262-328 ft.) deep, migrating farther offshore as it grows older.
• Eats fish (such as sardines and anchovies) as well as squid. ^[3]
• Predators of bonito are larger fish such as tuna, bonito also prey on each other as well. ^[1]

Fishing for bonito occurs offshore in 300-600 feet of water.

Seasonal availability

• Fishing is allowed year-round, but most catch is landed from June-November. ^[3]

Regulatory and managing authority

• As established by the Marine Life Management Act, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) collects data on and manages this fishery. ^[2,15]

Gear type

• Mostly taken by purse seine, but are also caught by gill nets, trawl, and hook and line. ^[2,8]

Status of the fishery

• Currently, bonito is placed in the category of least concern because the catch per year has decreased significantly since the 1990s due to increased regulation and decreased market demand.
• Catch peaked in 1966 with 4.6 million fish declining with a loss of 659,000 in the 1990s. ^[3]
• In 2014, 70,982 pounds (32,196 kg.) of Pacific Bonito were caught in California. ^[6]

Potential ecosystem impacts

• Purse seines are non-selective, which poses risks to non-target species.  ^[12]

Bonito is sometimes dried, fermented, and smoked to make bonito flakes, or Katsuobushi, in Japanese cuisin

Edible portions

• Can be eaten whole. ^[4] 

Description of meat 

• Meat is deep red to pink, soft with a fishy smell but a bold and flavorful taste. ^[14]

Culinary uses

• Available whole, as filets, or steaks. 
• Should be bled and put on ice immediately after catching, and bloodlines should be removed. ^[14]
• Generally brined prior to cooking. ^[5]
• For a Japanese simmered bonito recipe, visit Recipe Tin Japan. ^[16]
• For recipe for grilled bonito, visit Greedy Gourmet. ^[17]

Nutritional information 

• For fresh Bonito, there are 5 calories per 129 serving (100 g) and 28 grams of protein.  ^[13]

Toxicity report

• As with other top predators, may contain high mercury levels; follow consumer guidelines especially for pregnant women and children. ^[10]

Seasonal availability

• Available year round.