North Atlantic Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Also known as Broadbilled swordfish, Broadbill, Espada, Emperado
Culinary Profile
Moist and flavorful with a slightly sweet taste.
Firm with moderate oil content.
Swordfish is an excellent source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B12, and zinc.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Swordfish have a long, flattened bill that looks like a sword, as their name implies. They have a stout, rounded body and large eyes. Their first dorsal (back) fin is tall and crescent-shaped. Their second dorsal fin is much smaller. Their anal fins (on their belly) are similar in shape to the dorsal fins but are smaller. They have a broad, crescent-shaped tail.
Biology
Atlantic swordfish are one of the fastest predators in the ocean. Their streamlined body allows them to swim at high speeds, up to 50 mph. They grow quickly and reach a maximum size of about 1,165 pounds. However, the average size caught in the fishery is 50 to 200 pounds. Swordfish live about 9 years. Females are able to reproduce between 4 and 5 years of age.
Where They Live
Range Swordfish are found around the world in tropical, temperate, and sometimes cold waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are found in the Gulf Stream of the Western North Atlantic, extending north into the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round, with peaks from June through October.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) waters.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: U.S. swordfish landings consistently remain within the ICCAT-recommended quota, which contributes to maintaining a healthy stock throughout the North Atlantic Ocean. The majority of U.S. commercial landings come from the pelagic longline fleet, with a smaller portion of landings from handgear. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Fishermen mainly use pelagic longline gear to harvest swordfish. They may also use rod-and-reel, harpoon, and buoy gear. Pelagic longline gear and handgear have no impact on habitat because they’re used in the water column and don’t come into contact with the ocean floor. Handgear used to catch swordfish is very selective and bycatch is minimal.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 54 Species
Where North Atlantic Swordfish ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 13.9 IU | 7 / 54 | 87% |
| Selenium | 57.4 µg | 10 / 106 | 91% |
| Phosphorus | 255 mg | 11 / 111 | 90% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 648 mg | 13 / 104 | 88% |
| Zinc | 0.66 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Protein | 19.66 g | 37 / 111 | 67% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.7 µg | 52 / 106 | 51% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 108 mg | 56 / 104 | 46% |
| Iron | 0.38 mg | 75 / 111 | 32% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as North Atlantic Swordfish.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of North Atlantic Swordfish, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stock status of North Atlantic Swordfish?
The stock is not overfished.
Where in the water column does North Atlantic Swordfish live?
Range Swordfish are found around the world in tropical, temperate, and sometimes cold waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are found in the Gulf Stream of the Western North Atlantic, extending north into the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
Is North Atlantic Swordfish a lean fish or a rich one?
At 144 kcal per 100 g raw, North Atlantic Swordfish counts as rich on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
What else is North Atlantic Swordfish called?
North Atlantic Swordfish is also marketed as Broadbilled swordfish, Broadbill, Espada, Emperado.
What does North Atlantic Swordfish eat?
Atlantic swordfish are one of the fastest predators in the ocean. Their streamlined body allows them to swim at high speeds, up to 50 mph. They grow quickly and reach a maximum size of about 1,165 pounds. However, the average size caught in the fishery is 50 to 200 pounds. Swordfish live about 9 years. Females are able to reproduce between 4 and 5 years of age.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught north Atlantic swordfish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2022 stock assessment, North Atlantic swordfish is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) assesses the abundance of swordfish in the Atlantic.
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Pelagic longline gear and handgear used to catch swordfish have no impact on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries , through the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division , manage swordfish in the North Atlantic. Managed under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan : Permits are required.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.