Skipjack Tuna Fisheries

Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is the only target species in the fishery. The landings of species other than skipjack (may include bigeye and yellowfin tuna, frigate mackerel, sharks, mahi mahi, rays and marlins) are believed to be much less than 2% of the total landings.

Up until 1998 purse seine accounted for around 85% of the total skipjack catch, pole and line for 14%, and longline and minor line methods for the remainder. Since 1999 the pole catch has decreased representing only 1% in 2001 with purse seine accounting for 98% of the catch in that year.

The value of the skipjack fishery is low and variable. Prices have ranged from $0.63 - $1.78 per kg over the last 10 years and the total annual value of the fishery ranged from $0 to $8.1m over the same period.

Skipjack taken in Australian waters is supplied almost exclusively to the cannery in Port Lincoln. The worldwide price for skipjack tuna was depressed in the late 1990s but has recovered somewhat in recent years.

Catches of skipjack tuna have been increasing steadily since 1950. Skipjack has been the dominant species caught in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) for the past decade, making up over two thirds of the total tuna catch. The 2002 skipjack catch was the highest on record at 1,321,939 Mt (metric tonne). The purse seine component of the catch was (73%), while the pole-and-line was 21%.

In the Indian Ocean, skipjack catches have exceeded 400,000 Mt each year since 1999 and it has become the most important tuna species in this region. Skipjack catches peaked in 2002 at 563,000 Mt. A large proportion of skipjack caught by purse seiners is taken under Fish Attracting Devices.

A stock assessment for skipjack tuna in the WCPO was carried out for the period 1999-2004. The stock assessment indicated that for the broader WCPO skipjack is not overfished and there remains scope for expansion of skipjack catches.

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Working Party on Tropical Tunas has not made any specific management recommendations for the skipjack stock. Information suggests that there is no need for immediate concern about the status of skipjack tuna.

There are 19 holders of Eastern Skipjack Fishery permits and 13 holders of Western Skipjack Fishery permits.