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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide
Swordfish
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Swordfish
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Broadbill, Espada, Emperador, Shutome
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Hawaii
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Harpoon, Handline
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Swordfish
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Broadbill, Espada, Emperador
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U.S., Canada
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Harpoon, Handline
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Swordfish
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Broadbill, Espada, Emperador
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California, Oregon
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Drift Gillnet
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Swordfish
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Broadbill, Espada, Emperador, Shutome
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U.S.
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Longline
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Swordfish
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Broadbill, Espada, Emperador
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Imported
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Longline
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Swordfish
Swordfish is found throughout the oceans but not all regions are well-managed. Some of the gear used to catch swordfish accidentally catch other marine life such as sea turtles, seabirds and sharks.
Consumer Note
Swordfish is available year-round, and is often sold as fresh or frozen steaks, loins, and fillets.
Health Alert
Environmental Defense Fund has issued a consumption advisory for swordfish due to elevated levels of mercury.
Summary
Known for its sharp, pointed bill, which is used for protection and hunting prey, swordfish is a highly migratory billfish prized by both recreational and commercial fishers.
Although harpoons and handlines (a type of hook-and-line gear) are infrequently used in the commercial swordfish fisheries, these catch methods result in little to no bycatch. Harpoon and handline-caught swordfish from the U.S. and Canada, are a "Best Choice" as these fisheries are well-managed.
In the waters off California and Oregon, swordfish is also caught with drift gillnets, where the bycatch of marine mammals and other protected species is minimized by management measures.
Longlines are the most common gear used to catch swordfish worldwide. This fishing method results in the bycatch of threatened or endangered sea turtles, sharks and seabirds in large numbers. Since there are no integrated international laws to reduce bycatch, international longline fleets are contributing heavily to the long-term decline of some of these threatened or endangered species—we recommend that consumers "Avoid" swordfish caught in the international longline fleets. Due to strict bycatch regulations in the U.S., longline-caught swordfish from these fleets is the only exception.
Scientific Reports About Our Ratings
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