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Skipjack tuna (Euthynnus pelamis, Katsuwonus pelamis)

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Common name - Skipjack tuna
Scientific name - Euthynnus pelamis, Katsuwonus pelamis
Rating
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Caught at sea Purse seine (non FAD associated)
Capture Area Western Atlantic  FAO 41,31
Stock Area West Atlantic
Stock Detail All Areas
Summary
The stock status of skipjack in the western Atlantic is healthy and overfishing is not currently occuring (F<FMSY). Short term overfishing could occur if effort keeps increasing, and the lack of regulation for the species by ICCAT adds to this risk. Increase the sustainability of the tuna you eat from this area by choosing pole & line caught fish.
Biology
Tuna belong to the family Scombridae. They are large, oceanic fish and are seasonally migratory, some making trans-oceanic journeys. Skipjack tuna are found throughout the world's tropical and warm temperate waters. During the day they school on the surface (often with birds, drifting objects, sharks, whales etc) but at night can descend to depths of 260m. Skipjack tuna are a very fast growing species, maturing at 2 to 3 years old (40cm in length) and living for up to 12 years. They can grow up to 100cm and 34kg in weight but are rarely found larger than 80cm and 10kg. They spawn all year round and have a medium to high resilience to fishing.
Stock Information
The western Atlantic skipjack stock is currently healthy with B>BMSY. Skipjack and other tuna stocks in the Atlantic are assessed by ICCAT - the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.
Capture Information
Purse seining is commonly an industrial scale fishery used to catch tuna destined for canneries. It is the main method used to capture skipjack in the eastern Atlantic, while pole & line fishing is the main method in the western Atlantic. Purse seining is associated with bycatch of marine mammals and discarding of immature tuna. Always choose non FAD associated purse seine caught fish.
Alternatives
(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)
Read what the consumer pages of the Good Fish Guide say about this species.