Legal Size of Bonito

Atlantic bonito is a fatty fish that makes it good for bait and not much else. You can steak fish and grill or bake and cool as some countries do. Similar species: Small tuna, E. alletteratus (dark wavy stripes on the back; 4-5 dark spots under the pectoral fin); and Bonito, K. pelamis (stripes on lower sides, not back) from coastal to offshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean (rarely found in the Gulf). For more information on Atlantic Bonito, contact Dr. Gregory Skomal at (508) 990-2860 ext. 136 or gregory.skomal@mass.gov.