Pacific Bonito

Sarda lineolata

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

Pacific bonito on sand
Luke Armstrong/flickr

The Science

Bonito populations fluctuate in accordance with the warm/cold water periods associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation.

The Fishery

Fishing for bonito occurs offshore in 300-600 feet of water.

The Seafood

Bonito is sometimes dried, fermented, and smoked to make bonito flakes, or Katsuobushi, in Japanese cuisine!

The Science

Pacific Bonito
Ian Manning/iNaturalist

Taxonomic description

  • Head is pointed and conical with a large mouth.
  • Has a compressed body with slanted dark stripes on their backs and upper sides.
  • Lower jaw has 14-25 teeth, and is moderately large.
  • Reaches 79-102 cm (31-40 in) in length and can weigh up to 11 kg (24 pounds). [4]
  • Characterized by a large spleen and lack of swim bladder. [7]
  • Was formerly considered subspecies of Sarda chiliensis. [18]

Distribution

  • Ranges from the Pacific Ocean from the coast of Alaska all the way down to the tip of Baja California, Mexico. [9]

Life history

  • Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 and have a maximum lifespan of 6 years. [2]
  • Spawning generally occurs from late January until May. [11]

Habitat

  • Bonito is a pelagic fish that lives 80-200 meters (262-328 ft.) deep, migrating farther offshore as it grows older.
  • Eats fish (such as sardines and anchovies) as well as squid. [3]
  • Predators of bonito are larger fish such as tuna, bonito also prey on each other as well. [1]

The Fishery

fisherman holding a frozen bonito, below are coolers filled with ice and fish
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market/Facebook

Seasonal availability

  • Fishing is allowed year-round, but most catch is landed from June-November. [3]

Regulatory and managing authority

  • As established by the Marine Life Management Act, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) collects data on and manages this fishery. [2,15]

Gear type

  • Mostly taken by purse seine, but are also caught by gill nets, trawl, and hook and line. [2,8]

Status of the fishery

  • Currently, bonito is placed in the category of least concern because the catch per year has decreased significantly since the 1990s due to increased regulation and decreased market demand.
  • Catch peaked in 1966 with 4.6 million fish declining with a loss of 659,000 in the 1990s. [3]
  • In 2014, 70,982 pounds (32,196 kg.) of Pacific Bonito were caught in California. [6]

Potential ecosystem impacts

  • Purse seines are non-selective, which poses risks to non-target species.  [12]

The Seafood

seared fish steak with grapefruit slices
jatrax/iStock

Edible portions

  • Can be eaten whole. [4] 

Description of meat 

  • Meat is deep red to pink, soft with a fishy smell but a bold and flavorful taste. [14]

Culinary uses

  • Available whole, as filets, or steaks. 
  • Should be bled and put on ice immediately after catching, and bloodlines should be removed. [14]
  • Generally brined prior to cooking. [5]
  • For a Japanese simmered bonito recipe, visit Recipe Tin Japan. [16]
  • For recipe for grilled bonito, visit Greedy Gourmet. [17]

Nutritional information 

  • For fresh Bonito, there are 5 calories per 129 serving (100 g) and 28 grams of protein.  [13]

Toxicity report

  • As with other top predators, may contain high mercury levels; follow consumer guidelines especially for pregnant women and children. [10]

Seasonal availability

  • Available year round.

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] California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2019. Pacific Bonito, Sarda chiliensis, Enhanced Status Report. Web. https://marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov/pacific-bonito/. Accessed 4 September 2020. 

[3] Lewis, M. 2008. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Pacific Bonito, Sarda chiliensis. Status of the Fisheries 2008. Web. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=34441&inline. Accessed 4 September 2020. 

[4] 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

[5] Canncel, C.. 2015. How to Cook Bonito Fish."Web. http://www.livestrong.com/article/547462-how-to-cook-bonita-fish/. Accessed: 20 May 2017.

[6] CDFW. 2014. Final Commercial Landings. Web. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Commercial/Landings#26004609-2014. Accessed: 20 May 2017.

[7] 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. 

[8] 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.

[9] Luna, S. 1983. Sarda chiliensis, Eastern Pacific Bonito. Web. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/113. Date Accessed: 21 April 2017

[10] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2017. Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish (1990-2012). Web. https://www.fda.gov/food/metals-and-your-food/mercury-levels-commercial-fish-and-shellfish-1990-2012. Accessed 4 September 2020. 

[11] 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.

[12] Snow, J. Mexico- Fish, Marine Life, Birds and Terrestrial Life. Pacific Bonito.    http://www.mexican-fish.com/pacific-bonito/. Accessed: 12 April 2017

[13] Pacific Bonito. Web. Myfitnesspal.com. Accessed: 21 September 2017. 

[14] Finn's Fishing Tips. n.d. What does Bonito Fish Taste Like? Web. https://finnsfishingtips.com/bonito-fish-taste/. Accessed 28 Sept 2020. 

[15] Marine Life Management Act. n.d. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Web. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MLMA. Accessed 24 August 2020. 

[16] Yukimo. Recipe Tin Japan. 2019. Bonito Kakuni. Web. https://japan.recipetineats.com/bonito-kakuni-simmered-bonito-cubes/. Accessed 19 January 2021. 

[17] Minnaar, M. Greedy Gourmet. 2018. Grilled Bonito. Web. https://www.greedygourmet.com/recipes-by-course/main-course/grilled-bonito/. Accessed 19 January 2021. 

[18] Binohlan, C.B. FishBase. n.d. Sarda lineolata, Pacific Bonito. Web. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Sarda-lineolata.html. Accessed 18 February 2021. 

[19] Armstrong, L. iNaturalist. 2008. Digital image. Web. https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/27291808. Accessed 18 February 2021. 

[20] Manning, I. iNaturalist. 2015. Digital image. Web. https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/13414261. Accessed 18 February 2021. 

[21] Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. Facebook. 2020. Digital image. Web. https://www.facebook.com/thdocksidemarket/photos/3264148366947757. Accessed 18 February 2021. 

[22] jatrax. iStock. 2015. Tuna steak grilled with orange sauce stock photo. Digital image. Web. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/tuna-steak-grilled-with-orange-sauce-g.... Accessed 18 February 2021.