Make a Donation

Seafood Watch

Take Action

News from Julie Packard

Conservation Research

Our Conservation Efforts

Get Updates

Seafood Search

A-N
O-Z

Abalone
Arctic Char
Barramundi
Basa
Black Sea Bass
Bluefish
Bluenose
Capelin
Catfish
Caviar
Chilean Seabass
Clams
Cobia
Cod
Conch
Corvina
Crab
Crayfish
Croaker
Eel
Flounder
Grenadier
Grouper
Haddock
Hake
Halibut
Herring
Imitation Crab
Lingcod
Lobster
Mackerel
Mahi Mahi
Marlin
Monkfish
Mullet
Mussels

A-N
O-Z

Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Corvina, Gulf

©Scandinavian Fishing Yearbook/www.scandfish.com

SEAFOOD	RATING	MARKET NAMES	WHERE CAUGHT	HOW CAUGHT
Gulf Corvina		White Sea Bass, Corvina Golfina	Gulf of California	Wild-caught

Gulf Corvina

Gulf corvina faces major challenges, including changing conditions in their habitat and overfishing that makes it extremely vulnerable to extinction.

Consumer Note

The word “corvina” is a general term used to describe a number of fish species. Gulf corvina is fished year-round in the Gulf of California and is usually only available in the local region immediately surrounding the Gulf.

Summary

Gulf corvina is found only in the cooler northern waters of the Gulf of California and the Colorado River delta. Unable to survive in the warmer waters to the south, Gulf corvina is limited to a relatively small habitat. Any species with a small habitat range is extremely vulnerable to changes in conditions and the corvina is no exception. Habitat degradation in the Gulf as well as the river delta has reduced corvina populations. Important spawning and nursery habitat in the Colorado River delta has been degraded by upstream water diversions, which lower the flow of freshwater and change temperature and sediment

conditions.

Its small and very limited range also makes Gulf corvina vulnerable to overfishing. Indeed, the population has been — and continues to be — severely overfished. Contributing to the problem is the minimal and ineffective management of the fishery. As a result, fewer and smaller fish are being caught than just a few years ago. Two types of fishing gear used for Gulf corvina, gillnets and trawls, lead to serious bycatch

and habitat damage.

For these reasons, Gulf corvina is ranked as an “Avoid.”

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings

Gulf of California Seafood Watch Report

	Print a pocket-size Seafood Watch guide to take with you. Download a guide now
Mobile phone users log on to mobile.seafoodwatch.org. iPhone and iPhone touch users, you can get the most up-to-date Seafood Watch recommendations on your iPhone or iPod touch.

How fish are caught or farmed makes a difference.

Learn more

Celebrating 25 Years of Ocean Conservation