Dolphinfish

The dolphinfish (or Coryphaena hippurus), also known as the mahi-mahi, is a brightly coloured pelagic fish found in warm oceanic waters around the world, typically inhabiting tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It prefers open waters near the surface, often swimming beneath floating debris or seaweed lines where food is abundant. The dolphinfish is easily recognised by its colouration; golden-yellow on the sides with vibrant blues and greens on the back. It has a long, slender body with a sharply sloping forehead. Adult males, called bulls, have a more pronounced forehead than females. They are fast-growing fish, with an average length of 1.5m and an average weight of 22kg.

The dolphinfish is considered a species of Least Concern that is popular as both a commercial and recreational fish. Overfishing, compounded by its migratory nature and fast growth, makes accurate stock assessment difficult, and bycatch is another concern. Data on population size, fishing mortality, movement and spawning aggregations are sparse, meaning fishery managers often must make decisions with significant uncertainty. Warming oceans and shifts in prey or current patterns may further stress dolphinfish stocks, though the extent of these effects is not yet fully quantified. Management plans have introduced catch limits, minimum conservation reference size and technical rules to reduce harmful fishing practices. Fishermen are being trained in best practices, bycatch-reduction, and are adopting monitoring systems for more reliable data collection. Some producers have developed a Code of Conduct to coordinate sustainability efforts, share data, and align management across national boundaries. Overall, while dolphinfish are not currently endangered, sustainability requires both local regulation and international cooperation.