- Certifier :
- SCS Global Services
- Certified status :
- Certified
- Certified since :
- 02 Jun 2016
- Certificate expires :
- 21 Jun 2028
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) | 2021 | 159,165 |
| Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) | 2021 | 27,452 |
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.
Eligibility, client groups and vessel lists
A fishery may choose to define the members of the fishery certificate. These members can be vessels or other client group members (e.g. companies that own vessels and/or companies that are named as eligible to handle certified product covered within the fishery certificate scope). Please refer to the fishery certificate statement on additional product specific eligibility criteria (e.g. product eligibility limitations, eligibility date, exclusive points of landing and the point where Chain of Custody certificate is required). Please consult the fishery Public Certification Report for product eligibility rationale.
| Documents | Published on | Files |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel List | 19 Dec 2024 | 1 files |
About this Fishery
This fishery is run by international producer Tri Marine, with 10 American Samoa-based purse seiners targeting skipjack and yellowfin tuna.
Skipjack are a highly productive tuna exhibiting great variability in life history characteristics. They grow up to a metre in length, and gather in surface shoals of up to 50,000 individuals. They reproduce at a greater rate than other species of tuna, and are responsible for more than half the world tuna harvest.
Yellowfin are fast-moving and wide-ranging pelagic predators. They spend the majority of time in the top 100m, but make occasional deep dives to much greater depths. They are one of the larger species, reaching weights above 180kg, but often mix with other tuna. Schools of small yellowfin and skipjack are common.
The purse seines used in this fishery are not associated with fish aggregating devices. Stocks are conserved by permitting vessels only a limited number of days at sea each year – the vessels in this UoC were allocated 2000 days in 2014 – and with no-fishing zones. Observer coverage and log books are mandatory, along with catch reporting.
Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book
Market Information
Most of the catch is canned, with the main processing base being located on American Samoa. Secondary processors are located in Thailand, Ecuador and Peru. Most of the product is sold in North American markets, with potential sales in the EU.