Eastern Pacific Bonito (Sarda Chiliensis)
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species specifics BY CHUGEY SEPULVEDA, PhD, AND SCOTT AALBERS, M.S. EASTERN PACIFIC BONITO (SARDA CHILIENSIS) common inshore predator of Southern California waters, the eastern Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis) is a member of the tuna family (Scombridae) and A shares several tuna-like attributes, including a streamlined body shape, an efficient are several meristic characteristics that Fisheries caudal propeller, and finlets along the can be used to differentiate between For both California and Mexico, the posterior body. One distinguishing trait the two bonito species, common distin- eastern Pacific bonito represents an that sets the bonito apart from the guishing characteristics include den- important commercial and recreational tunas is that bonito do not have the tition patterns, pattern of horizontal resource. In local waters, bonito is land- capacity to elevate body temperature, striping, and differences in white mus- ed by CPFV vessels (party boats), private as do the other 15 tuna species. None- cle appearance (the striped bonito’s boaters, shore-based anglers, and local theless, the bonito is widely distributed swimming muscle is not as dark as that purse seine vessels, while in Mexico in the eastern North Pacific and plays of the eastern Pacific bonito). the vast majority of bonito is landed an important role in the dynamics of by small- and large-scale purse seiners inshore ecosystems. Age and growth operating along the Baja peninsula. The eastern Pacific bonito has relatively Market price and the availability of other Distribution rapid growth rates, growing to a size of more valuable species often dictate the In the eastern North Pacific, the bonito approximately four pounds in the first degree to which the Baja stock gets has been shown to range from the Gulf year of life. Males mature slightly earlier fished in Mexico. Because this stock is of Alaska to the Revillagigedo Islands. than females, with most individuals migratory, these operations can certain- Its center of distribution is believed to reaching sexual maturity by age two. ly affect the availability of bonito in be along the Baja California peninsula; Spawning has been shown to occur local waters. however, inter-annual and seasonal along the Baja peninsula; however, local There is much more variability in bon- variation in water temperatures likely spawning has also been observed, par- ito abundance in Southern California, influence the north-south movements ticularly during warm water years and likely because the center of bonito dis- of this species. At the southern portion in areas near warm-water effluents. Gro- tribution is outside of our exclusive eco- of its range, the eastern Pacific bonito wing to sizes in excess of 20 pounds and nomic zone (EEZ). This variability is overlaps with the striped bonito (Sarda capable of great displays of strength, reflected in the commercial landings, orientalis), a close relative that is very the bonito offers a great renewable which date back to 1916, as well as the similar in appearance. Although there resource for local anglers. CPFV landings, which date back to the 62 | PCSportfishing.com | THINK CONSERVATION | MAY 2009 “Little longfins” on the run. Last year’s influx of bruiser- sized bonito gave anglers seeking early season oppor- tunities some good action “...Much of the gen- mid 1940s. Domestic purse seine activi- eration that began Department of Fish and Game have ties peaked in the mid 1970s, with over relatively strict recreational regulations 30 million pounds landed, while recre- fishing aboard CPFV in place for the bonito (five fish below ational landings hit their highpoint in vessels may have 24 inches; total 10-fish bag limit). And, the 1960s, with 1.3 million fish landed. had the poor unfortunately, the center of this species One additional explanation for the outlook on bonito distribution is outside of US waters; thus, changes in local bonito abundance may due to the use of we do not have much control over the be large- and small-scale oceanographic burlap sacks for large-scale fishing activities that occur changes and their influence on prey daytime storage outside of our EEZ. This, coupled with abundance, in particular, the favored varying oceanographic conditions, leads prey of the bonito, the California an- of their catch.” us to believe that bonito variability in chovy (Engraulis mordax). Years where Southern California is difficult to predict the sardine (Sardinops sagax) is much fresh bonito. If freshly caught bonito is and will continue to fluctuate in years more prevalent, it may be that other not chilled relatively quickly, the flesh to come. species, like the California barracuda will begin to break down, resulting in a (Sphyraena argentea), fill the dominant poor presentation. Care and handling inshore role that the bonito would oth- techniques that should result in optimal PIER is a non-profit 501(c)3 research erwise occupy. fillets include the immediate bleeding institute dedicated to scientific research, of the catch, chilling of the whole fish education and the sustainable manage- Food grade prior to filleting, and keeping the fillets ment of the marine environment. Special Unfortunately, public acceptance of bon- free from excess water. We feel that much thanks are offered to Mr. Thomas Pfleger ito as a food fish is highly variable, with of the generation that began fishing and Family, Darryl Lewis and the Harris some individuals praising the delicate, aboard CPFV vessels may have had the Foundation, Thomas Jay Fullam, Lorraine flaky meat, while others suggest its use poor outlook on bonito due to the use Bohnet, and Vicki Wintrode. To read more for bait only. This interpretation is like- of burlap sacks for daytime storage of about PIER research projects please visit ly due to the highly delicate nature of their catch. us at www.pier.org. I MAY 2009 | THINK CONSERVATION | PCSportfishing.com | 63.