WR Frozen Striped Bonito

Striped bonito (Sarda orientalis) is a coastal pelagic species widely distributed in the tropical and temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific, including the East China Sea, waters around southern Japan, and northern Australia. It is a warm-water species that typically inhabits waters with temperatures ranging from 13.5°C to 23°C, often found schooling with small tunas at depths of 1 to 30 meters.

The species is known for its seasonal migrations. In the Northwest Pacific, striped bonito migrates northward from around March, traveling along the Pacific coast, and can be caught in large quantities from summer to autumn (roughly June to October). It swims fast, moves agilely, and has a ferocious temperament. It feeds on a variety of small schooling fish, squids, and shrimps. Common fishing methods include encircling nets, purse seines, and hook-and-line fisheries. Understanding these migration patterns and seasonal availability is important for buyers planning their inventory and ensuring a consistent supply of fresh, high-quality raw material.

"WR" stands for "Whole Round," meaning the striped bonito is frozen and supplied in its complete, intact form with the head, tail, and skin on, rather than being processed into fillets, steaks, or other cuts. The species is scientifically known as Sarda orientalis (also referred to as Sarda sarda in some contexts). The product is typically available in a range of size gradings, including 500–1000g, 1–1.5kg, 1.5–2kg, and 2kg+ per fish. It is commonly packed in 10kg or 15kg cartons, and may be offered with certifications such as HACCP, BRC, FDA, and HALAL to ensure food safety and compliance with international import standards. The freezing process used is often Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) to preserve the fish's quality and prevent sticking.