Butterfish
Butterfish
Peprilus triacanthus
Also Known As
American butterfish, Atlantic butterfish, Dollarfish, Shiner, Skipjack, Sheepshead, Harvestfish
Quick Facts
Region
New England/Mid-Atlantic,
Southeast
Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus). Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Katie Rogers
Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus). Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Katie Rogers
About the Species
U.S. wild-caught butterfish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impact
Fishing gears used to harvest butterfish have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations limit possession of bycatch species and require modified fishing gear to reduce bycatch.
Population Status
- According to the 2022 stock assessment, butterfish is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
- Scientists at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center survey the abundance of butterfish off the East Coast.
- They added temperature and habitat information into the stock assessment model, which helps them more accurately estimate fish abundance. Using this approach, the model indicated that the population was more abundant than previously estimated.
- Incorporating this type of environmental information into stock assessments will become increasingly important as the climate changes and the oceans warm.
Appearance
- Butterfish are dull blue on the top, with pale sides and a silvery belly. Numerous irregular dark spots fade after they are harvested.
- Very thin and deep-bodied, like a flounder set upright, and somewhat circular or rounded.
- Small mouths with weak teeth and blunt noses.
- 6 to 9 inches in length, though some individuals can reach 12 inches.
- Up to 1.25 pounds in weight.
Biology
- Butterfish are short-lived and grow rapidly.
- Few live to more than 3 years of age, and most are sexually mature at age 1.
- Spawning occurs during June and July.
- They are semi-pelagic, and form loose schools that feed upon small invertebrates.
- They have a high natural mortality rate and are preyed upon by many species of fish, marine mammals, and seabirds.
Where They Live
Range
- Butterfish are found from Florida to Newfoundland, but they are primarily found from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Maine.
Habitat
- Butterfish shift their distribution in response to changing bottom water temperatures.
- During summer, they move northward and inshore to feed and spawn.
- During winter, they move southward and offshore to avoid cold waters.
Fishery Management
- NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the butterfish fishery.
- Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan:
- Fishermen must have a permit to harvest butterfish. Managers limit the amount of available permits to control harvests.
- Annual catch limits are in place to prevent overfishing.
- Managers monitor commercial catch weekly.
- Vessel trip limits are based on gear mesh sizes, and are adjusted based on landings.
Harvest
- In 2022, commercial landings of butterfish totaled 1.8 million pounds and were valued at $1.6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database.
- Butterfish are primarily landed in Point Judith and North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Montauk, New York; and New Bedford, Massachusetts. They are generally exported to Japan, where they are a popular menu item.
- Otter trawls are used to catch butterfish.
- Otter trawls can incidentally catch other fish and marine mammals as bycatch, and can impact habitat, depending on where they are used.
- Gear restrictions (minimum mesh size) when fishing with otter trawls are used to reduce bycatch.
Scientific Classification
- Butterfish are found from Florida to Newfoundland, but they are primarily found from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Maine.
- Butterfish shift their distribution in response to changing bottom water temperatures.
- During summer, they move northward and inshore to feed and spawn.
- During winter, they move southward and offshore to avoid cold waters.
Fishery Management
- NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the butterfish fishery.
- Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan:
- Fishermen must have a permit to harvest butterfish. Managers limit the amount of available permits to control harvests.
- Annual catch limits are in place to prevent overfishing.
- Managers monitor commercial catch weekly.
- Vessel trip limits are based on gear mesh sizes, and are adjusted based on landings.
Harvest
- In 2022, commercial landings of butterfish totaled 1.8 million pounds and were valued at $1.6 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database.
- Butterfish are primarily landed in Point Judith and North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Montauk, New York; and New Bedford, Massachusetts. They are generally exported to Japan, where they are a popular menu item.
- Otter trawls are used to catch butterfish.
- Otter trawls can incidentally catch other fish and marine mammals as bycatch, and can impact habitat, depending on where they are used.
- Gear restrictions (minimum mesh size) when fishing with otter trawls are used to reduce bycatch.
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Chordata | Class | Actinopterygii | Order | Scombriformes | Family | Stromateidae | Genus | Peprilus | Species | triacanthus |
|---|
Featured News
After each survey tow, the net is retrieved and the catch is emptied into a hopper where a series of conveyors move the catch to the sorting and processing area aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. There, scientists sort the catch and collect data and biological samples. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jessica Blaylock
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Seafood Facts
Is Butterfish Sustainable?
U.S. wild-caught butterfish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to South Carolina.
Taste
Fatty, oily, and delicious.
Health Benefits
Butterfish is a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, protein, vitamin B12, and selenium.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1; Serving Weight: 100 g (raw); Calories: 146; Protein: 17 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Total Saturated Fatty Acids: 3.4 g; Carbohydrate: 0 g; Total Sugars: 0 g; Total Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Selenium: 36.5 mcg; Sodium: 89 mgSeafood News
Credit: NOAA Fisheries and Partners
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Commercial fishing boats lined up in Sitka, Alaska. Credit: Shutterstock.
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Closed and Restricted Areas
This page provides a broad overview of the closed and gear restricted areas that apply to the butterfish fishery.
Oceanographer Canyon and Lydonia Canyon
Mackerel, squid, and butterfish vessels are prohibited from fishing with bottom trawl gear in Oceanographer Canyon or Lydonia Canyon, or being in Oceanographer or Lydonia Canyon unless transiting. Vessels may only transit these areas if bottom trawl gear is stowed and not available for immediate use. These restrictions are in place year-round.
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Scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRA)
The Fluke, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) includes two gear restricted areas (GRA) that apply during different periods during the year. These GRAs impact vessels fishing for longfin squid, which can overlap with the butterfish fishery.
Scup GRA Details
November 1 – December 31 | January 1 – March 15 |
Minimum mesh size of 5.0 inch diamond mesh | Minimum mesh size of 5.0 inch diamond mesh |
Transit allowed if codends less than 5.0 inches are stowed and not available for immediate use. | Transit allowed if codends less than 5.0 inches are stowed and not available for immediate use. |
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Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Areas
Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Closed Areas
The Northeast Multispecies FMP includes a number of closed areas that apply to vessels fishing for butterfish. For an overview of these areas, please see our groundfish closed areas webpage.
Exempted Fishing
The Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan includes gear requirements for each regulated mesh area (RMA) in the Greater Atlantic Region. In some cases, there are exemptions from these gear requirements for vessels fishing for butterfish. A Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the Regional Administrator is required to fish under some of these exemptions. You can apply for an LOA through your Fish Online account. If you need help with the online application or setting up an account, or have any other questions about the online forms and applications, please contact our Permits Office at (978) 282‐8438 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET or email NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov.
Midwater Trawl Gear Exempted Fishery
Vessels may fish with midwater trawl gear equipped with mesh smaller than the applicable minimum size, as long as they meet the following conditions:
- The vessel fishes exclusively with midwater trawl gear.
- The vessel carries an observer, if requested by the Regional Administrator.
- When fishing in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Exemption Area:
- The vessel is issued an LOA (minimum 7-day duration).
- The vessel only fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic herring, blueback herring, or mackerel north of 42°20′ N latitude, in Closed Area I North, and in Closed Area II.
- The vessel only fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic herring, blueback herring, mackerel, or squid south of 42°20′ N latitude.
- The vessel does not fish for, possess, or land groundfish, except:
- A vessel issued a Category A or B herring permit fishing on a declared herring trip may possess and land haddock and other regulated groundfish, consistent with the applicable catch caps and possession restrictions. Haddock that has been brought or pumped into the hold may not be discarded.
- A vessel issued a Category C, D, or E herring permit fishing with midwater trawl gear may possess and land haddock and other regulated groundfish, consistent with the applicable catch caps and possession restrictions. Haddock that has been brought or pumped into the hold may not be discarded.
- Such haddock and other regulated groundfish may not be (or may not attempt to be) sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, transferred for, or intended for human consumption.
- Haddock and other regulated groundfish that are separated out from the herring catch by dealers/processors may not be (or may not attempt to be) sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred for any purpose.
- The vessel must submit a pre-trip notification to NOAA Fisheries at least 48 hrs prior to beginning a trip if:
- The vessel is issued a Category A or B herring permit and is fishing on a declared herring trip; or
- The vessel is issued a Category C, D, or E herring permit and is fishing with midwater trawl gear in Herring Management Area 1A, 1B, or 3.
- The vessel must submit a pre-landing notification to NOAA Fisheries at least 6 hrs prior to landing (or as soon as the vessel stops catching fish, if fishing ends less than 6 hrs before landing), if:
- The vessel is issued a Category A or B herring permit and is fishing on a declared herring trip with midwater trawl gear; or
- The vessel is issued a Category C or E herring permit and is fishing with midwater trawl gear in Herring Management Area 1A, 1B, or 3.
Purse Seine Gear Exempted Fishery
Vessels may fish with purse seine gear equipped with mesh smaller than the applicable minimum size, as long as they meet the following conditions:
- The vessel fishes exclusively with purse seine gear.
- The vessel carries an observer, if requested by the Regional Administrator.
- When fishing in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Exemption Area:
- The vessel is issued an LOA (minimum 7-day duration).
- The vessel only fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic herring, blueback herring, mackerel, or menhaden.
- The vessel does not fish for, possess, or land groundfish, except:
- A vessel issued a Category A or B herring permit fishing on a declared herring trip may possess and land haddock and other regulated groundfish, consistent with the applicable catch caps and possession restrictions. Haddock that has been brought or pumped into the hold may not be discarded.
- Such haddock and other regulated groundfish may not be (or may not attempt to be) sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, transferred for, or intended for human consumption.
- Haddock and other regulated groundfish that are separated out from the herring catch by dealers/processors may not be (or may not attempt to be) sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred for any purpose.
- The vessel must submit a pre-trip notification to NOAA Fisheries at least 48 hrs prior to beginning a trip if the vessel is issued a Category A or B herring permit.
- The vessel must submit a pre-landing notification to NOAA Fisheries at least 6 hrs prior to landing (or as soon as the vessel stops catching fish, if fishing ends less than 6 hrs before landing), if the vessel is issued a Category A or B herring permit.
Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank Small-Mesh Exemption Areas
Vessels may fish for whiting using small-mesh bottom trawl gear in the exemption areas listed below, as long as they meet the following conditions:
- Vessels must comply with all applicable season, area, and gear requirements.
- Vessels must comply with all applicable possession limits.
- Vessels must be issued a whiting (Category K Open Access Northeast Multispecies) permit or a limited access Northeast multispecies permit.
Vessels fishing for whiting in some of these exemption areas may only retain butterfish as incidental catch while fishing for whiting (they may not target butterfish).
Small-Mesh Exemption Areas Details
Area | Season | LOA Required | Squid as Incidental Catch Only? |
Gulf of Maine Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exemption Area |
July 1 – November 30
| No | Yes |
June 15 – October 31
| Yes | Yes | |
Small-Mesh Area 1: July 15 – November 15
Small-Mesh Area 2: January 1 – June 30 | No | No (may target) | |
Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery Areas (Cape Cod) | September 1 – November 20; September 1 – December 31
| Yes | Yes |
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Southern New England Exemption Area
Vessels may fish for, harvest, possess, or land butterfish (as well as certain other species) using nets equipped with mesh smaller than the applicable minimum size in the Georges Bank or Southern New England RMAs when fishing in the Southern New England Exemption Area, provided they comply with all applicable gear stowage requirements and possession restrictions.
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Science Overview
NOAA Fisheries conducts various research activities on the biology, behavior, and population health of butterfish. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions for this species.
For detailed information about stock status, management, assessments, and resource trends, you can search for butterfish, and any other species of interest, using NOAA’s StockSMART web tool.
Stock Assessment Review Index
Fishery Stock Assessments in New England and the Mid-Atlantic provides general information about stock assessments, and the Stock Assessment Review Index contains copies of completed assessment documents.
