Profile updated on 11 May 2023

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

IDENTIFICATION

SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)

Xiphias gladius

SPECIES NAME(s)

Swordfish

There is high uncertainty about the actual stock structure of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the Pacific Ocean (Lu et al. 2016). According to (IATTC 2020), there might be as many as 6 different stocks, but the exact boundaries of these stocks and their exchange rates are currently uncertain. FishSource profiles for swordfish follow the stocks identified in (ISC 2014):

  • Swordfish - Northwest Pacific, for the Western and Central North Pacific Ocean stock (WCNPO). It is managed by the WCPFC (west of 150ºN) and the IATTC (east of 150ºE).
  • Swordfish - Northeast Pacific, for the Northeastern Pacific Ocean stock (North EPO), which actually stretches into the Southern Hemisphere. It is managed by the IATTC, although there is a reduced overlapping area with the WCPFC below 5ºN and between 150ºW and 165ºW.
  • Swordfish—Southeast Pacific, for the Southeastern Pacific Ocean stock (South EPO). The IATTC manages it, although there is an overlapping area with the WCPFC west of 130ºW.
  • Swordfish—Southwest Pacific, for the Southwestern Pacific Ocean stock (SWPO). The WCPFC manages it.

ANALYSIS

Strengths
  • Regardless of the high uncertainty, all the models used in the 2022 stock assessment (IATTC 2022) estimated that the stock is above the suggested biomass and fishing limit reference points. 

SCORES

Management Quality:

Management Strategy:

≥ 6

Managers Compliance:

≥ 6

Fishers Compliance:

≥ 6