Skipjack Tuna

Common Name:

Skipjack Tuna

Scientific Name:

Katsuwonus pelamis

Market Name(s):

Ocean bonito, Aku

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Sourcing Summary

7-22 lbs.

Skipjack is the species most commonly used in canned tuna. It is mainly sold as “canned light” or “chunk light” tuna, and it is also available fresh and frozen. Skipjack has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas and when raw, good-quality skipjack meat is deep red. Smaller fish are lighter red. Cooked skipjack becomes light gray. Some canned skipjack maybe be mixed with yellowfin tuna when the species aren't separated at harvest. Some sushi markets prefer skipjack tuna because it’s comparable to yellowfin tuna when fried or grilled.

Harvest Methods

Wild

Purse Seine
Purse Seine
Pole
Troll

Product Forms

Fresh

  • Canned
  • H&G
  • Loins
  • Steaks

Frozen

  • H&G
  • Loins
  • Steaks
Fresh Seasonal Availability
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Culinary Composition

Flavor

Mild
Sweet
Strong

Texture

Delicate
Medium
Firm

Oil

Low
Medium
High

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition facts

Serving size: 100 Grams
Amount per serving
  • Calories
    103.00
  • Total Fat
    1.00
    g
  • Cholesterol
    47.00
    mg
  • Sodium
    37.00
    mg
  • Carbohydrates
    0.00
    g
  • Protein
    22.00
    g
  • Omega-3
    300.00
    mg

Recommended Servings per Month

  • Men
    4+
  • Women
    4+
  • Kids 6-12
    4+
  • Kids 0-5
    3

Cooking Methods

Advisory Concern

Biology

Skipjack tuna do not have scales on the majority of their body. The corselet and lateral line are markers on the fish’s head and across their body that are made up of a band of larger, thick scales. Unlike other tunas, skipjack are cold-blooded and cannot control their body temperature.

Skipjack have a lifespan between 8 to 12 years old. They grow quickly, up to four feet (over one meter) in length and can weigh more than 70 pounds in the Pacific, and up to three feet (one meter) in length and forty pounds in the Atlantic. Skipjack reach maturity around one year old. They spawn throughout the year. Females can produce between 100,000 and two million eggs at a time, depending on their size. Skipjack tuna reproduce through broadcast spawning, where eggs and sperm are released into the water column at the same time. The eggs hatch one day after fertilization.

Skipjack tuna are opportunistic feeders, preying on a variety of fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, mollusks, and other tuna. Large pelagic fish such as billfish, sharks, and large tuna feed on skipjack tuna.

Species Habitat

Skipjack tuna are found in temperate tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world’s oceans. There are five populations of skipjack tuna: western and central Pacific, eastern Pacific, eastern Atlantic, western Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean. The US fishery occurs along the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico. The US pacific fishery extends from California to Hawaii, including US Pacific Island territories and the high seas. Skipjack tuna are pelagic and will spend the majority of their lives living in large schools in the open ocean. These schools tend to aggregate around floating objects, convergence areas (boundaries between cold and warm water), and upwelling areas where nutrient-rich, colder water meets warmer, nutrient-depleted water and is pushed to the ocean surface. Bigeye and yellowfin tuna are also known to join skipjack in these schools. Like many tunas, skipjack are highly migratory and are known to make large-scale migrations to feed and reproduce. Skipjack tuna can be found near the ocean surface to depths of 850 feet (260 meters) throughout the day. At night they tend to be restricted to the ocean surface.

Science & Management:
  • Wild
    Science: 

    NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) has developed the Pacific Tuna Tagging Project (PTTP) in 2006 to tag and release skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna throughout the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The goal of the PTTP is to improve stock assessments, and better understand the status of the stocks and tuna movements.

    A 2010 study published by NOAA found that tuna and billfish populations are more vulnerable to fishing pressure because of shrinking habitat. An expanding hypoxic zone (an area of low oxygen) in the Atlantic Ocean is decreasing oxygen-abundant habitats, forcing the species into shallower waters where they are more vulnerable to predators and fishing. The hypoxic zones occur naturally in tropical and equatorial oceans; however, they are going to continue expanding and increasing in number as sea temperatures rise. Fish that prefer these habitats will move to shallower areas, increasing their catch rates, and giving the appearance of greater abundance than actually exists, thus affecting population and stock assessments. Higher water temperatures absorb less oxygen, and climate change will increase the expansion of hypoxic zones in the world’s oceans.

    In 2011, researchers at the Ocean Science Series of the PEW Environment Group found that increasing the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) changes the species composition of tuna catches. Vessels targeting skipjack tuna will also catch a large amount of juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tuna. This impacts the biology and ecology of skipjack, bigeye, and yellowfin tuna, as younger individuals are being caught and the population is not able to replenish itself.

    Management: 

    NOAA Fisheries and NOAA Fisheries’ Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Division are responsible for managing the US Atlantic skipjack tuna fishery under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Atlantic skipjack tuna, along with other HMS like sharks and swordfish, are managed under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Under the FMP, federal management regulations apply to all US states with the exception of Maine, Connecticut, and Mississippi. Among measures the FMP includes are permit requirements and gear restrictions.

    Skipjack tuna are a highly migratory species that move between the jurisdiction of multiple nations as well as the high seas, and as such their management requires international cooperation. The United Nations Law of the Sea indicates that the management of HMS be carried out through Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs). RFMOs are the only legally mandated fishery management body on the high seas. The RFMO responsible for the management of Atlantic tunas, as well as other Atlantic HMS, is the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). ICCAT is made up of 51 contracting parties including the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. ICCAT assesses the abundance of Atlantic skipjack tuna and evaluates current and proposed harvest practices. All contracting parties must record and report catch and effort data of which ICCAT uses to set total allowable catch (TAC) limits. Aside from keeping catches below maximum sustainable yield, there are currently no specific management recommendations for Atlantic skipjack tuna and there is currently no TAC limit for the species. While no specific measures are in place for skipjack, measures ICCAT has adopted to protect other tuna species are thought to generally benefit skipjack tuna. NOAA Fisheries uses conservation and management measures adopted by ICCAT, along with their own research, to set regulations for the US Atlantic skipjack fishery. 

    NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the skipjack tuna fishery on the US West Coast under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for US West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species. In Hawaii and the US Pacific Island territories, NOAA Fisheries and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the skipjack tuna fishery in the US Pacific under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific. These plans are similar in that both set:

    • Permit requirements;
    • Gear restrictions to minimize bycatch;
    • Documentation and reporting requirements for catch; and,
    • Mandates that large purse seine vessels be required to have 100 percent observer coverage (smaller vessels must do so if requested by NOAA).

    Like their Atlantic counterparts, Pacific skipjack tuna are migratory, cross international boundaries and the high seas, and are fished by many nations. As such, their management requires international cooperation. In the Eastern Pacific, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) is the RFMO tasked with managing the international skipjack fishery and with developing target and harvest limit points. Composed of over 20 different nations including the United States, Canada, China, Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico, IATTC sets management measures that all member nations must adhere to. In the Eastern Pacific, IATTC has set management measures for the purse seine and longline fisheries which include time and area closures, 100 percent observer coverage on large vessels, and requirements that all vessels in the purse seine fishery retain all tuna caught. As the troll and pole fishery has a relatively minor impact on the stock (in comparison), most management measures do not apply for that fishery. IATTC assesses skipjack on a regular basis, and participating countries provide catch data to IATTC via logbooks, observer programs, unloading reports, and export/import records. Additionally, member countries must report to IATTC annually on compliance, monitoring, and control measures. Any purse seine vessel operating in the Eastern Pacific must also operate in accordance to the International Dolphin Conservation Program, which works reduce bycatch of dolphins and undersized tuna. IATTC has established interim target and limit reference points as well as interim harvest control rules for Eastern Pacific skipjack.

    Most of the global harvest of skipjack tuna occurs in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) – with US fisheries accounting for roughly nine percent of this total harvest. Of that nine percent, the majority of the US harvest occurs in Hawaii, with some landings occurring in US Pacific Island territories (American Samoa, Guam, etc.). The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is the RFMO in charge of managing the international and high seas skipjack fishery in the WCPO. WCPFC is composed of over 25 member countries including Australia, China, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, France, the United States, and the Republic of Korea. Among measures member nations adhere to are:

    • A three-month prohibition on setting fish aggregating devices (FADs) in exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and high seas between 20 degrees north and 20 degrees south;
    • Coastal states must reduce purse seine effort to 2010 levels (if they are a member country of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA);
    • If they are not a participant in the PNA they must reduce purse seine effort to average levels between 2001 and 2004;
    • Purse seine vessels for other countries cannot increase;
    • A FAD management plan to reduce capture of juvenile tunas and prepare for FAD closures; 
    • Annual compliance monitoring requirements; and,
    • Prohibition of discarding any tuna catch.

    PNA member countries have also agreed to additional management measures including: a regional fishing vessel register, high seas pocket area closures, FAD prohibitions during set times, and a vessel day scheme.

    The WCPFC regularly monitors and assesses skipjack tuna stocks. However, target reference points are not in place for any tuna species in the WCPO (with the exception of bigeye in the short-term) and there are currently no harvest control rules. A WCPFC working group is working to address target reference points. 

    The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is the RFMO charged with managing skipjack tuna in the Indian Ocean. Among management measures in place for member countries are: reference points and harvest control limits, bycatch mitigation strategies (particularly with sea turtles, juvenile tunas, and sharks), and observer coverage (IOTC requires at least five percent of vessels have an observer). Additionally, IOTC members must have a FAD management plan that includes information on the fleet, number of drifting FADs, logbooks, and monitoring and review plans. IOTC member nations require all tuna caught by purse seiners be retained and landed, and encourages retention of other non-targeted finfish. Member countries are required to record and report catch and effort data by species and gear type.

Wild

Impact on Stock

Skipjack is a small tuna with short lifespans as well as rapid growth and reproduction rates, making them resilient to fishing pressure.

Skipjack stocks in both the Atlantic and Pacific are currently estimated to be above target levels, according to the U.S. Marine Fisheries Service.

Habitat Impacts

In the United States, most skipjack tuna is caught off Hawaii using troll and pole-and-line gear. Since handgear doesn’t connect with the seafloor, it has no impact on that habitat. In the Western Pacific, where most skipjack are landed, skipjack tuna are caught using purse seines which have little, if any, impact on habitat.

Bycatch

When skipjack is caught using pole-and-line or troll gear, the bycatch is minimal because these fisheries are so selective. However, most skipjack worldwide are caught with purse seine fleets known to catch non-targeted fish such as juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi mahi. Purse seines that use fish aggregating devices (FADs) are more likely to accidentally catch sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and marlin. Longlines result in large amounts of bycatch, including threatened or endangered sea turtles, seabirds, and sharks. When skipjack tuna are caught without fish aggregating devices, bycatch is reduced but the skipjack is not separated from other tuna caught with more impactful gear.

Management Effectiveness

Internationally, skipjack tuna management falls under several agencies: the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Management and monitoring varies by region. Skipjack is well monitored in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, but information in the Indian Ocean is considered inadequate. Overall, skipjack tuna fishery management measures tend to be vague, according to the Blue Ocean Institute. Attempts to curb FADs have been made but the devices continue to be used.

Farmed
Origin Harvest Method Sustainability Ratings FIP Source
Angola (FIP) Purse Seine
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Atlantic Ocean - East Handlines and Hand-Operated Pole-and-Lines
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Atlantic Ocean - East Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Atlantic Ocean - East Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Atlantic Ocean - East Trolling Lines
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Atlantic Ocean - West Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Atlantic Ocean - West Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Atlantic Ocean - West Handlines and Hand-Operated Pole-and-Lines
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Atlantic Ocean - West Trolling Lines
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Benin (FIP) Pole
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Cabo Verde (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Cabo Verde (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
China (MSC) Purse Seine
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Comoros (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Comoros (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Cook Islands (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Côte d'Ivoire (FIP) Pole
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Côte d'Ivoire (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Côte d'Ivoire (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Ecuador (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Ecuador (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Equatorial Guinea (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Equatorial Guinea (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
France (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
France (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Gabon (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Gabon (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Gambia (FIP) Purse Seine
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Gambia (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Ghana (FIP) Pole
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Ghana (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Ghana (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Guinea (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Guinea (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Guinea (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Guinea Bissau (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Guinea Bissau (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Guinea Bissau (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Indian Ocean Handlines and Hand-Operated Pole-and-Lines
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Indian Ocean Trolling Lines
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Indian Ocean Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Indian Ocean Gillnets and Entangling Nets
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 5 Avoid
Indian Ocean Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Indian Ocean (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Indian Ocean (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Indonesia - Indian Ocean (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Indonesia - Pacific Ocean (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Indonesia - Pacific Ocean (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Indonesia - Pacific Ocean (MSC) Handlines and Hand-Operated Pole-and-Lines
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 1 Best Choice
Indonesia - Pacific Ocean (MSC) Hook and Line
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 1 Best Choice
Japan (MSC) Handlines and Hand-Operated Pole-and-Lines
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Japan (MSC) Handlines and Mechanized Pole-and-Lines
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 1 Best Choice
Kenya (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Kenya (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Kiribati (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Kiribati (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Liberia (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Liberia (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Madagascar (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Madagascar (FIP) Longline
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Madagascar (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Marshall Islands (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Marshall Islands (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Marshall Islands (MSC) Purse Seine
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Mauritania (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mauritania (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mauritania (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mauritius (FIP) Longline
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mauritius (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mauritius (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mexico (FIP) Handline
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mexico (MSC) Purse Seine
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Micronesia (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mozambique (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Mozambique (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Nauru (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Nicaragua (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Nicaragua (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Pacific Ocean - East Hand-Operated Pole-and-Lines; Trolling Lines
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Pacific Ocean - East (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Pacific Ocean - East (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Pacific Ocean - East Central Purse Seine - Dolphin Set
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Pacific Ocean - East Central Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Pacific Ocean - East Central Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Pacific Ocean - West Central Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Pacific Ocean - West Central Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Pacific Ocean - West Central Trolling Lines
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Pacific Ocean - West Central Handlines and Hand-Operated Pole-and-Lines
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Pacific Ocean - West Central Gillnet
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide- Rating 5 Avoid
Pacific Ocean - West Central (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Pacific Ocean - West Central (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Pacific Ocean - West Central (MSC) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Eco-Certification Recognized
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Pacific Ocean - West Central (MSC) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Palau (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Panama (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Panama (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 4 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Papua New Guinea (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Sao Tome and Principe (FIP) Purse Seine
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Senegal (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Senegal (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Senegal (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Seychelles (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Seychelles (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Seychelles (FIP) Longline
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Sierra Leone (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Sierra Leone (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Sierra Leone (FIP) Pole and Line
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Solomon Islands (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Solomon Islands (FIP) Longline
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Somalia (FIP) Longline
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Tanzania (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Tanzania (FIP) Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
The Republic of Maldives Troll/Pole
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
The Republic of Maldives (MSC) Hook and Line
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Togo (FIP) Pole
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 2 Best Choice
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Tokelau (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Tuvalu (FIP) Purse Seine - Floating Object
Seafood Watch- Avoid
Ocean Wise- Not Recommended
Good Fish Guide- Rating 3 Think
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Unassessed Origin Unassessed Fishing Methods
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
USA - California Purse Seine - Unassociated
Seafood Watch- Best Choice
Ocean Wise- Recommended
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
USA - Hawaii (FIP) Longline
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
USA - Hawaii (Including vessels landing in California) Deep-Set Longline
Seafood Watch- Good Alternative
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
USA - North Atlantic Greenstick
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Vanuatu (FIP) Longline
Seafood Watch- Unrated
Ocean Wise- Unrated
Good Fish Guide - Unrated
Fishery Improvement Project (FIP)
FIP product
Name Country State/Province
Alpha Fisheries Pvt Ltd Maldives
American Tuna, Inc. United States California
Bionic Zoo and Aquarium
Blueyou Ltd. Switzerland ZH
Da Yang Seafood, Inc. United States Oregon
Diamond Head Seafood Wholesale, Inc. United States Hawaii
Ensis Fisheries Pvt. Limited Maldives MAA
FIA PNG - Fishing Industry Association Of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Port Moresby
Fresh Island Fish, Inc. United States Hawaii
Garden & Valley Isle Seafood, Inc. United States Hawaii
John Nagle Co. United States Massachusetts
Meliomar, Inc. Philippines
Mike Stahl Seafood Co LLC United States California
Mind Fish Co. United States California
Norpac Fisheries Export United States Hawaii
PT. Hatindo Makmur Indonesia Bali
Royal Hawaiian Seafood United States California
Rubicon Resources United States California
Safe Catch United States California
Santa Monica Seafood, Inc. United States California
Seattle Fish Company of New Mexico United States New Mexico
The Tuna Store LLC United States Washington
Wild Planet Foods, Inc. United States California
Wixter Market United States Illinois

Acknowledgements

  • Environmental Defense Fund
  • International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF)
  • NOAA Fisheries
  • Seafood Watch Program
Last Updated: 8/7/2020