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DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



CALIFORNIA BONITO 

 Sarda lineolata 



Relationship: A member of the family Cybiidae, of which it is the only common 

 California representative. The sierra (Scomberomorus sierra) belongs to this family, 

 while another species of bonito is found in southern Lower California. 



Distinguisiiing Characters: The series of six to eight finlets which follow the 

 dorsal and anal fins ; the oblique dark stripes on the back above the lateral line which 

 distinguish it from all our other tuna-like fishes ; there being 15 or more gill rakers 

 on the lower limb of the first arch (there are 10 or less in the Mexican bonito) . Reaches 

 a weight of 25 pounds and a length of 40 inches. Color: Blue to violet above with 

 greenish reflections and a metallic luster, shading into silvery below ; stripes on the 

 back as described above ; young with vague darker vertical bars. 



Distribution: From Vancouver Island south into Lower California at least as 

 far as Magdalena Bay ; not common north of Pt. Conception. A schooling fish. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year, 

 the catch has been made in Mexican waters. 



Importance: The State's fourteenth fishery in poundage and thirteenth in value 

 in 1946. Heaviest landings are normally made at Los Angeles with most of the balance 

 delivered to San Diego. Used almost entirely for canning, it is considered the least 

 desirable of the tuna-like fishes. The pack cannot be labeled "tuna." A desirable sport 

 fish, although caught in small quantity. 



Fishing Gear: Hook and line with live bait; purse seines. Usually taken by 

 sportsmen with live bait though it readily takes a trolled lure. 



recent years, a large proportion of 



