Sarda chiliensis
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.