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Tuna, Skipjack

Quality mark Cultivation
/Keurmerk Wild
Green
Second choice
Avoid
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General

Mackerel-like fish

Mackerel-like (Scrombodei) from a subspecies of the Perciformes, the biggest order of fish. Mackerel (Atlantic-, horse mackerel etc), tuna, swordfish and barracudas all fall among the mackerel-like fish. Globally it is a very popular fish and forms an important source of food and income for many people. Mackerel are pelagic fish that live in large schools. While swimming in large schools, mackerel-like fish confuse their predators with the silver-like brilliance from their scales. Island mackerel is the smallest with 2o cm, the largest is the bluefin tuna that can reach a size of over 5 meters.

Tuna, Skipjack

Skipjack tuna is found around the world, but the majority (70%) is found in the Pacific Ocean. It is the smallest size of commercial tuna species with a maximum length of 110 cm and a maximum weight of 35 kg. Skipjack tuna is often found in mixed schools with juvenile yellowfin- and bigeye tuna. Skipjack matures around 1-2 years of age. This makes it more resilient to fishing pressure in comparison with the bigger bluefin or yellowfin tuna. All the skipjack in the Pacific is part of one stock. Skipjack is most commenly caught with purse seines. The purse seining fishermen take advantage of the attraction of tuna to floating objects, by releasing floating objects in the water (Fish Aggregating Devices, FADs).

Tuna, Skipjack

Katsuwonus pelamis
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean (FAO 34; 47; 51; 57; 61; 71; 77; 81; 87)

Farming- / Catch method

Purse seines, Handlines and pole-lines

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Tuna, Skipjack

Katsuwonus pelamis
Origin

Atlantic Ocean (FAO 21; 27; 31; 34; 41; 47)

Farming- / Catch method

Handlines and pole-lines

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Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
of skipjack tuna in these fishing areas is currently fished at sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
levels. Although the western skipjack tuna stock in the western Atlantic is in healthy condition, there is some uncertainty about the state of the stock in the eastern Atlantic.

HandlinesHandlines and pole-lines:
A collective name for pole lines, jigs and troll lines. Hand lines and pole lines are used on a small scale most of the time and are relatively selective. unwanted by-catch have a high survival rate because they can be thrown back immediately.  
and pole-lines are unlikely to have significant effects on the ecosystem and other species. This fishing method also does not come into contact with the seabed.

There are no specific management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed.
for eastern and western skipjack tuna. Some regulatory controls do exist, but it is still uncertain whether these measures are sufficient to maintain a long-term sustainable stock. Management of this species is not effective.

Tuna, Skipjack

Katsuwonus pelamis
Origin

Atlantic Ocean (FAO 21; 27; 31; 34; 41; 47)

Farming- / Catch method

Purse seines

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  • Feb
  • Mar
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  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
of skipjack tuna in these fishing areas is currently fished at sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
levels. Although the western skipjack tuna stock in the western Atlantic is in healthy condition, there is some uncertainty about the state of the stock in the eastern Atlantic.

There is evidence that this large-scale tuna pursePurse seines:
A ring net in which the net is circulated around a school of fish. Then the net is closed and taken in. This is also called 'purse seine'. 
seine fishery in these areas has a major impact on several endangered and protectedProtected species:
Many marine species are protected from deliberate or intentional disturbance, capture, injury and killing, and in some cases possession or sale. Species are often protected if they play an important role in the ecosystem or are sensitive to fishing. These marine species are protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside marine protected areas.
species. Moreover, large quantities of bycatchBycatch:
Species caught next to species targeted for fishery. By-catches can consist of non-commercial species and species that are too small, and can be kept (this part is sometimes called by-product) or thrown back into the sea (discards). 
of other, overfished, tuna species are believed to occur regularly.

There are no specific management measuresManagement measures:
For fisheries, management measures can affect the amount of fish that can be caught, the type of gear that can be used and where fishing is and is not allowed.
for eastern and western skipjack tuna. Some regulatory controls do exist, but it is still uncertain whether these measures are sufficient to maintain a long-term sustainable stock. Management of this species is not effective.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.