The billfish are a family of large (to 13 ft/ 4 m and 2,000 lb/900 kg), active predators of the open oceans, with a spear-like projection from their upper jaw and dense, meaty, nearly boneless flesh that has been sought after for thousands of years. The preeminent billfish is the swordfish, whose Atlantic stock is thought to be down to less than a tenth of its original size and in need of protection. Swordfish have a dense, meaty texture and keep unusually well on ice, as long as three weeks.