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Swordfish

Swordfish, © Amadeo Bachar
Recommended servings per month
Contaminant | Men | Women | Kids 6-12 | Kids 0-5 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swordfish (US, harpoon/hand line) | Mercury | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Swordfish (imported) | Mercury | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Swordfish (US, longline) | Mercury | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eco details:
- Most swordfish are caught with longlines, which have high bycatch of juvenile billfish, sea turtles, seabirds and sharks.
- Although the U.S. has imposed strict regulations in the Pacific to reduce bycatch of endangered sea turtles, foreign fleets are not subject to these restrictions, and there is no international management for swordfish in the Pacific.
- U.S. swordfish populations are fully recovered in the North Atlantic.
- Swordfish caught by harpoon and handline in the U.S. and Canada, though not widely available, are the best environmental choice for this species.