Since fish are managed according to where they are found and how they are caught, it’s important to understand some of the critical elements about fish stocks and gear type used. Seafood for the Future provides a list of recommended sustainable seafood by species and simplified explanation about what’s important in the selection of each.

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cobia

Cobia

Rachycentron canadum

Family: Rachycentridae

Common names: Vernacular non-market names include crabeater, sergantfish, bonito, cabio, cubby yew, black ling. The names black kingfish, lemonfish, black salmon, and ling are also not approved for cobia in the marketplace.

View the FDA list of legal market fish names.

Do not confuse with:
No other species go by the name “cobia.”  Rachycentron canadum is the only species in the family Rachycentridae.

SFF determination:
Wild US cobia stocks are endorsed, as are farmed cobia.

Primary Commercial Fishing Gear:

Cobia are not a targeted species, and are caught in mid-water trawls for Atlantic mackerel.

Other Commercial Fishing Gear:

Recreational hook and line gear make up 90% of cobia landings. Drift gillnets are prohibited in these regions.

Geographic Range:

Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast. Endorsed stocks originate in FAO areas 31 and 21. View FAO fishing area map.

Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI):

sssi:4
Wild US cobia stocks have a sustainability index score of 4.0 (maximum).

View the most current NMFS quarterly reports on US fish stocks.

Overfishing: NO

Fishing pressure does not exceed target levels set by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Overfished: NO

Population biomass is not less than target levels set by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Approaching Overfished Condition: NO

Populations are not in decline.

Estimated Biomass: 133%

Biomass expressed as a percentage of the estimated Biomass at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), B/BMSY must be >80% to earn a maximum score of 4.0 on the National Marine Fishery Service’s FSSI report

Bycatch/Interactions:

Cobia is a non-targeted species, and has no associated bycatch.

Managing Authority:

MAFMC (Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management Council)

GMFMC (Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council)

Life History Traits:

Cobia grow to over six feet long and 12 years of age.  Males reach sexual maturity at 2 years and 24 inches, females at 3 years and 36 inches.  In captivity, cobia have been known to reach sexual maturity in less than one year. The natural spawning season is summer to early fall, when females produce several hundred thousand up to 2 million eggs per spawning event.

Commercial Season:

Varies by region.

Health Advisory:

None.

Seafood Advisory Consensus:

  • Blue Ocean Institute – No rating
  • Monterey Bay Seafood Watch – US farmed: Best Choice; Imported farmed: Avoid
  • Environmental Defense Fund – No rating
  • Marine Stewardship Council – No certified stocks
  • WWF – The WWF is directing a public dialogue on the standards that should be applied to cobia aquaculture.
  • SeaChoice – No rating
  • New England Aquarium – No rating
  • Greenpeace – Not redlisted


A measurement of how the National Marine Fisheries Service assesses the sustainability of fish stock managed in domestic waters. A 4-point scale (4 being the most sustainable) that scores the size of the fish stock in relation to the amount of fishing. Not all fish stocks have an FSSI score.


Some fishing methods are harmful to whales and dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and non-targeted fish. Fishing gear may also damage fish habitat by dragging on the seafloor. Regional fisheries councils and state fisheries management authorities provide bycatch information and habitat damage so that we can recommend fish from the most sustainable fishing methods possible.


Fish that are managed under U.S. fisheries programs cover a wide geographic range and can be found from Maine to Guam, a distance that’s equivalent to a third of the way around the Earth. Some programs fall under state jurisdiction, while others are run by one of the regional fisheries management councils.