Geography

• Pelagic fish are found in all of the oceans, with some being more popular by commercial operations. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are primarily the grounds for most trawlers. The fishing vessels travel is determined by time of year and school migrating habits. Fishing areas change daily and high priced sonar and other electronic devices help determine the migrating habits of the schools of fish.
  
  

Types

• Pelagic fish swim in shoals near the surface and cover great distances while feeding. Schools of pelagic fish can reach several hundred meters in length and depth. The most common pelagic species targeted are sardines, mackerel, tuna, anchovy and squid. Within these types of fish there are subspecies of each type. For example there are several types of tuna, and each type has its own use and price.
  
  

Uses

• Pelagic fish are often used for commercial frozen fish products, fish meal or bait used for catching other fish. Fish meal is used most often as feed for chickens, ducks and other animals requiring a high protein diet. Certain pelagic fish are frozen for consumption, there waste byproducts are also turned into fish meal. The entire fish is utilized in the newest fishing vessels, leaving no waste.
  
  

Size

• Pelagic fishing operations come in all sizes. Commercial trawlers are often 70 to 140 meters in size and include a staff of a few hundred. The catch is recorded in tons, and average 3000 to 5000 tons a month. Some pelagic species are also fished by smaller vessels and charters, such as sailfish, tuna and swordfish. These operations tend to cater to just small markets and restaurants.
  
  

Warning

• In several areas of the ocean the amount of pelagic fish caught is not regulated or tracked. The population of some pelagic fish species is unknown and could be in trouble. Historically fishing in this way has severely damaged fish populations in other parts of the world. ome species that were over fished have never recovered.