Sarda chiliensis
North Coast (Oregon Border to Point Arena)
North Central Coast (South of Point Arena to Half Moon Bay)
Central Coast (South of Half Moon Bay to Point Conception)
Santa Barbara (Point Conception to Point Dume)
South Coast (Point Dume to Mexico border)
Flakey fish
Oily fish
Wild caught
The Science
Taxonomic description
- Head pointed and conical with a large mouth
- Compressed body with slanted dark stripes on their backs and upper sides
- Lower jaw with 14-25 teeth, moderately large mouth
- 79-102 cm (31-40 in) length and can weigh up to 11 kg (24 pounds) [5]
- Characterized by a large spleen and lack of swim bladder [8]
Distribution
- Pacific Ocean from the coast of Alaska all the way down to the tip of Baja California, Mexico [11]
Life history
- Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 and have a maximum lifespan of 6 years [3]
- Spawning generally occurs from late January until May [14]
Habitat
- Pelagic fish that lives 80-200 meters (262-328 ft.) deep, with older individual migrating farther offshore
- Eats fish (such as sardines and anchovies) as well as squid [4]
- Predators are larger fish such as tuna, bonito also prey on each other as well [1]
The Fishery
Seasonal availability
- Available May-January , however it is legal to fish them all year [4]
Managing authority
- Included in the Federal Highly Migratory Species Management Plan as a “monitored species”, meaning it is not actively managed
- California statutes and regulations apply to the taking of the Pacific Bonito (CA Fish and Game Code) [4]
Gear type
- Jigs [12] and purse seine [4]
Status of the fishery
- Currently placed in the category of least concern because the catch per year has decreased significantly since the 1990s due toincreased regulation and decreased market demand
- The catch peaked in 1966 with 4.6 million fish declining with a loss of 659,000 in the 1990s [4]
- In 2014, 70,982 pounds (32,196 kg.) of Pacific Bonito were caught in California [7]
Potential ecosystem impacts
- Jigging results in very low by-catch so it is fairly responsible fishing method, as it has low environmental impact [9]
- Purse seines are non-selective, so pose risks to non-target species [15]
The Seafood
Edible portions
- Can be eaten whole [5]
Description of meat
- Meat is deep white to pink, soft with a fishy smell but a bold and flavorful taste [9, 13]
Culinary uses
- Whole, fillets or steaks
- Used in fish flakes at health food stores
- Generally brined prior to cooking [6]
Nutritional information
- For fresh Bonito, there are 5 calories per 129 serving (100 g) and 28 grams of protein [16]
Toxicity report
- As with other top predators, may contain high mercury levels; follow consumer guidelines especially for pregnant women and children [13]
Seasonal availability
- Year round, but March- September is the freshest time to buy them in the market
References
[1] Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental affairs. 2017. Atlantic Bonito. Web. http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dmf/recreational-fishing/atlantic-bonito.html#food. Date accessed: 27 May 2017.
[2] Eat this much. 2017. Aged and Dried Bonito Flakes. Web. https://www.eatthismuch.com/food/view/aged-dried-bonito-flakes,573944/. Accessed: 29 April 2017.
[3] CDFW. 2015. Bonito, Pacific. Web. https://www.igfa.org/species/99-bonito-pacific.aspx?CommonName=99-bonito-pacific.aspx. Accessed: 19 May 2017.
[4] California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Pacific Bonito, Sarda Chiliensis. Rep. no. 9. N.p.: n.p., 2008. Web.
[5] CDFW. 2016-2017. "California Marine Sportfish Identification: Tuna & Mackerels." Web. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Fish-ID/Sportfish/Tuna-And-Mackerels#bonito. Accessed: 12 April 2017
[6] Canncel, C.. 2015. How to Cook Bonito Fish."Web. http://www.livestrong.com/article/547462-how-to-cook-bonita-fish/. Accessed: 20 May 2017.
[7] CDFW. 2014. Final Commercial Landings. Web. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Commercial/Landings#26004609-2014. Accessed: 20 May 2017.
[8] Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. 2017. Sarda Chilensis. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Web. http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/3275/en. Accessed: 12 April 2017.
[9] Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. 1999-2017. Fishing and Farming Methods. Web. http://www.seafoodwatch.org/ocean-issues/fishing-and-farming-methods. Accessed: 1 May 2017.
[10] Shizuoka Gourmet. 2010. Japanese Seasonal Fish: Katsuo/Bonito. https://shizuokagourmet.com/japanese-fish-species-bonitokatsuo/. Accessed: 5 May 2017.
[11] Luna, S. 1983. Sarda chiliensis, Eastern Pacific Bonito. Web. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/113. Date Accessed: 21 April 2017
[12] "Pacific Bonito." Personal interview. 6 May 2017.
[13] Sushi311. 2017. Pacific Bonito. Web. http://www.sushi311.com/content/pacific-bonito. Accessed: 29 April 2017.
[14] NOAA Fisheries. 2014. Purse Seine: Fishing Gear and Risks to Protected Species. Web. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/gear/purseseine.htm. Accessed: 29 April 2017.
[15] Snow, J. Mexico- Fish, Marine Life, Birds and Terrestrial Life. Pacific Bonito. http://www.mexican-fish.com/pacific-bonito/. Accessed: 12 April 2017
[16] Pacific Bonito. Web. Myfitnesspal.com. Accessed: 21 September 2017.