455,000 pounds of swordfish where landed in San Diego in 2006. The National Marine Fisheries Service says "results suggest that Pacific swordfish stock are relatively healthy and being fished at levels below maximum sustained yield although recent fishery statistics have not been available."

The drift gillnet season in San Diego is from August 15th to January 31st. NOAA says that drift gillnetting has minimal adverse effects on habitat, but other sources say that it results in significant bycatch and can damage the sea floor when they are moved. Harpooned fish are the most environmentally friendly because their is no bycatch. About 20% of the swordfish landed in California are harpooned and they generally sell for twice what gillnetted swordfish sell for. No longlining is done in California. Most swordfish come from Hawaii where longlining is practiced, but with many restrictions to protect other sea life.

Swordfish live longer and are higher on the food chain, so they accumulate mercury, so there are some FDA recommendations about this.

NOAA Fish Watch - Swordfish