- Certifier :
- LRQA (Seafood) Limited
- Certified status :
- Withdrawn
- Certified since :
- 28 Aug 2017
- Certificate expires :
- 16 Feb 2023
Overview
Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.
When the term “Unit of Certification” is used for fishing units that are in assessment, it refers to the “Unit of Assessment” or “Unit of potential certification”. Expand a status below to view the parts that form this fishery. To check the detailed scope, download the latest certificate or open the Assessments page to get the latest report. Find out more by visiting our page on Fisheries
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) | 2019 | 1,345 |
Information is provided by an independent Conformity Assessment Body as live weight (the weight of species at the time of catch, before processing) and where a fishing season covers multiple years, the end year is given as the reported catch year. Additional information is available in the latest report, see the assessments page.
About this Fishery
Skipjack tuna caught in the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are part of a single Western and Central Pacific Ocean stock.
The purse seine method has been used in New Zealand waters to target skipjack since the 1970s. This fishery is predominantly located off the northern west and east coasts of the North Island, but some effort has also occurred off the South Island. Three companies land 95- 98% of the total catch in the EEZ and operate a total of five vessels.
The New Zealand fishery is seasonal and generally peaks from January to March. Catches of skipjack in New Zealand waters comprise approximately 0.5% of the Western Central Pacific Ocean catch.
From the 2006/07 to the 2011/12 fishing years, average annual catch was 11,326 tonnes. In recent years, there have been no bycatch species landed in amounts in excess of 1% of the total catch. Fish aggregation devices (FADs) are not used.
Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus Pelamis) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book
Market Information
Most of the skipjack is processed into canned products.