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Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

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Common name - Swordfish
Scientific name - Xiphias gladius
Rating
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Caught at sea Harpoon
Capture Area North East Pacific  FAO 67
Stock Area Northeast Pacific
Stock Detail All Areas
Summary
Swordfish has low resilience to fishing and is subject to high fishing pressure. Stocks in this area are moderately to fully exploited. Swordfish is assessed as Data Deficient globally. Northeast Pacific swordfish is currently the best managed. Increase the sustainability of the swordfish you buy by choosing east Pacific swordfish. The harpoon fishery is now certified by the MSC and is the best choice.
Biology
Swordfish is the only member of the family Xiphiidae. It is a highly migratory species, moving towards temperate or cold waters in summer to feed and returning to warmer waters to spawn. In the Atlantic spawning takes place in spring in the southern Sargasso Sea, in spring and summer in the Pacific and June - August in the Mediterranean. Usually solitary, it forms large schools during spawning. Females mature at 5-6 years at a length of 150-180cms. Males reach sexual maturity at smaller sizes. They can attain a maximum size of 4.5m and a weight of 650kg. Most swordfish over 140kg are female.
Stock Information
The east Pacific stocks of swordfish are managed by IATTC - The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. In the east Pacific Ocean (EPO), there are two distinct stocks for swordfish - the south eastern Pacific Ocean stock and the north eastern Pacific Ocean stock. In addition, there may be movement of a north western Pacific stock into the EPO. The most recent assessment of swordfish stocks in the north eastern Pacific estimate that these stocks are moderately exploited. Swordfish is assessed as Data Deficient globally.
Capture Information
In the Pacific Ocean, swordfish are mostly caught by longline fishers. Longlining is a less fuel intensive and more selective method of fishing; however pelagic longline fisheries for swordfish are associated with high levels of bycatch. Bycaught species include shark, other billfish and endangered marine turtles.
Alternatives
(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)
Read what the consumer pages of the Good Fish Guide say about this species.