North Pacific Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Also known as Broadbill swordfish, Espada, Emperado, A`u, Mekajiki, Shutome
Culinary Profile
Moist, flavorful, and slightly sweet.
Firm, with a moderately high oil content.
Swordfish is an excellent source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B12, and zinc.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Swordfish are recognized by their long, flattened bills, which resemble swords, as their name suggests. They have stout, rounded bodies and large eyes. The first dorsal fin is tall and crescent-shaped, while the second dorsal fin is much smaller. Their anal fins are similar in shape to the dorsal fins but are smaller in size. Swordfish also have a broad, crescent-shaped tail.
Biology
Swordfish are a highly productive fishery species, primarily due to their rapid growth and reproductive capabilities. They can grow up to 14 feet long and weigh nearly 1,200 pounds, though the average size caught in the fishery is between 50 and 200 pounds. Swordfish mature quickly, reaching reproductive age at 5 to 6 years old, and typically live for about 9 years.
Where They Live
Range Swordfish are found around the world in tropical, temperate, and sometimes cold waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, including the waters around the U.S. Pacific Islands and off the U.S. West Coast. In the Pacific, scientists know little about the migration of swordfish, but tagging data suggest they move eastward from the central Pacific, north of Hawaii, toward the U.S. West Coast.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Hawaii, California, U.S. Pacific Island territories, and the high seas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial Fishery In 2023, commercial landings of Pacific swordfish were 2.2 million pounds and were valued at $9.4 million according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . In California, most of the swordfish landed are caught by Hawaii-based longliner vessels. These Hawaii-based longliners also account for the majority of U.S. catch of North Pacific swordfish overall. Despite this domestic catch, over 80 percent of swordfish consumed on the U.S. West Coast is imported from other countries. Gear Types, Habitat Impacts, and Bycatch Commercial fishermen harvest swordfish in federal waters off the U.S. West Coast using a variety of methods, including drift gillnets, deep-set buoy gear, harpoons, and other exploratory fishing practices.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 54 Species
Where North Pacific 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 Pacific Islands Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as North Pacific Swordfish.
Pacific Albacore Tuna
Thunnus alalunga
Mild, rich taste.
Pacific Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfinand is preferred by sashimi lovers.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus orientalis
Bluefin has a distinctive flavor. With its high fat content, it is especially prized for sushi and sashimi.
Pacific Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Pacific Mahimahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahimahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away the darker portions of the meat.
Pacific Shortfin Mako Shark
Isurus oxyrinchus
Sweet with a full-bodied, meaty taste.
Pacific Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Pacific Wahoo
Acanthocybium solanderi
Lean and mild.
Pacific Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Yellowfin tuna has a mild, meaty flavor. It’s more flavorful than albacore, but leaner than bluefin.
Striped Marlin
Kajikia audax
Distinctive flavor similar to but more pronounced than swordfish. It is considered the finest eating of all marlin speci…
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of North Pacific 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
Is North Pacific Swordfish a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, North Pacific Swordfish supplies 108 mg of EPA and 648 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
What is the texture of North Pacific Swordfish meat?
Firm, with a moderately high oil content.
How does North Pacific Swordfish reproduce?
Swordfish are a highly productive fishery species, primarily due to their rapid growth and reproductive capabilities. They can grow up to 14 feet long and weigh nearly 1,200 pounds, though the average size caught in the fishery is between 50 and 200 pounds. Swordfish mature quickly, reaching reproductive age at 5 to 6 years old, and typically live for about 9 years.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught North Pacific swordfish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
U.S. domestic fisheries target swordfish across the North Pacific Ocean. There are two stocks: Western and Central North Pacific stock - the most recent stock assessment (2023) found that this stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
The Western and Central North Pacific stock is not subject to overfishing. Reduced to end overfishing for the Eastern Pacific stock.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to catch Pacific swordfish rarely contacts the seafloor so habitat impacts are minimal.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
In the United States, highly migratory species like swordfish, are managed through a combination of international cooperation and domestic regulations. The U.S. is a member of two international fishery management organizations that establish binding measures for the conservation and management of North Pacific swordfish: Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and Western and C…
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.