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Swordfish
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Scientific name:
Xiphias gladius
Market Names:
swordfish, broadbills, espada, emperador
Summary:
Swordfish are most associated
with their long pointed bill that is used both as a tool for
capturing prey but also as defensive weapon. Swordfish are a
highly migratory, fast swimming fish, which make development
and integration of laws surrounding their catch difficult as
they often cross international borders. They are large fish
and this leads to their meat being sold often as steaks. It
is available year-round either fresh or frozen.
In most commercial operations Swordfish is caught using long
line techniques. These techniques are known to have a fair amount
of by-catch including seabirds, which are drowned, immature
swordfish and sea turtles which can become entangled and lead
to their deaths. Swordfish are a heavily fished species and
stock all over the world are at a critical stage, with the exception
of those in the U.S. controlled Atlantic as programs have been
developed to limit by catch and improve sustainability.
Biology:
Swordfish spawn at different times of the
year depending where they are located in the Atlantic is the
spring, while Pacific swordfish spawn in spring and summer and
the Mediterranean swordfish spawn from June until August. Female
swordfish take about 5 years to reach reproductive maturity
and do so a little slower then their smaller male counterparts.
Alternatives:
Harpooned or handline caught swordfish from
the U.S. However, swordfish intake should be limited due to
current concerns over potential mercury poisoning, this is especially
the case for pregnant woman.
Sources:
www.fishonline.org
www.montereybayaquarium.org
www.greenpeace.org |
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