Skipjack tuna
What to check for
Location
Indian Ocean
Technical location
Indian Ocean, Eastern, Indian Ocean, Western, All areas, All areas
Caught by
Hook & line (pole & line)
Certification
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Rating summary
Skipjack tuna in the Indian Ocean is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Some appropriate management measures are in place for certified Indian Ocean skipjack tuna from the Maldives. Certified fisheries are required to meet strict monitoring and reporting requirements that result in better management, although some improvements are still needed. These tuna are caught by pole & line. In the certified fishery, this is a well-monitored and low-impact method.Rating last updated January 2024
Technical consultation summary
Skipjack tuna in the Indian Ocean is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. This stock is managed and assessed by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). The last stock assessment was carried out in 2023, using data up to 2022. In 2022, biomass was 53% of unfished levels and 230% of SBMSY. Therefore, the stock is not in an overfished state. The target for fishing mortality is the level consistent with keeping biomass at the target level (F40%SSB). In 2022, F was 55% of the target level and 48% of FMSY. Therefore, the stock is not subject to overfishing. Few appropriate management measures are in place for Indian Ocean skipjack tuna. Recent catches have been well above catch limits, and monitoring and enforcement needs to be improved. The main management measure is a Harvest Control Rule (HCR), which has been in place since 2017. It has a target of maintaining the stock at or above 40% of unfished levels. Catch limits are calculated using the HCR and data from stock assessments, carried out every 3 years. However, management is very poorly monitored and enforced. The catch limit for 2021-2023 was 513,572 t. Catches substantially exceeded it, averaging 597,588t for those three years. The new limit for 2024-2026 is 628,605t. This is higher than the previous limit because the stock has remained productive thanks to favourable environmental conditions. However, those conditions are predicted to become less favourable. Catch in 2022 was 666,408t - the highest on record and well above the new catch limit. As of January 2024, countries are encouraged to stop fishing for tropical tunas for a 31-day period (dates TBC), or implement voluntary catch reductions for yellowfin. These measures are not mandatory and therefore do not influence management scoring for this rating. Monitoring and compliance with management measures in the IOTC region is generally poor. Some countries repeatedly fail to report catch data to the commission. Mandatory observer coverage is very low, at just 5% for all vessels over 24m or under 24m and fishing outside of their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A number of countries fail to meet the 5% threshold. In general, 20% is scientifically recommended to ensure adequate monitoring of catch and bycatch. However, certified fisheries are required to meet strict monitoring and reporting requirements that result in better management, although some improvements are still needed. These fleets are taking a number of actions in addition to IOTC requirements, including working towards 100% observer coverage, supporting scientific research, and management plans. Some skipjack tuna from the Indian Ocean is caught by pole and line. This is a generally low-impact method. If not well managed, this method can have impacts on baitfish populations. Most Indian Ocean pole and line fishing is by the Maldives, with small amounts by India and Indonesia. Much of the Maldives fishery is MSC-certified. It has a livebait management plan and records ETP interactions. The fishery uses anchored FADs, but limits the numbers allowed and operates them away from reefs. They are non-entangling.
