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MSC Fisheries
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Marine Stewardship Council

Tri Marine Western and Central Pacific skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna fishery

Certifier : 
SCS Global Services
Certified status : 
Certified with Unit(s) in Assessment
Certified since : 
02 Jun 2016
Certificate expires : 
28 Feb 2027

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

Units of Certification & Certificate Information

  • Certified
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area Certificate Code
    UoC-1184 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines): Free school sets, unassociated with fish aggregating devices 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-1185 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines): Free school sets, unassociated with fish aggregating devices 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2514 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2515 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2516 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2517 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2518 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2519 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2520 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-2521 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-2522 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines): Free school sets, unassociated with fish aggregating devices 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2523 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines): Free school sets, unassociated with fish aggregating devices 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2524 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines): Free school sets, unassociated with fish aggregating devices 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2525 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines): Free school sets, unassociated with fish aggregating devices 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2724 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2725 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2726 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2727 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-2728 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2729 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2730 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2731 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2732 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2733 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2734 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2735 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2736 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2737 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2738 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2739 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2740 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2741 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
    UoC-2742 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central) MSC-F-31245 (F-SCS-0094)
  • In Assessment
    MSC UoC Number Species Gear Type Ocean Area
    UoC-4085 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4086 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4087 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4088 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4090 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4089 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4091 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4093 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4092 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4094 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4095 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4096 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4097 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4098 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4099 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4100 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4101 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4102 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4103 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4105 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4104 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4106 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4108 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4107 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4110 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4109 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4111 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4112 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4113 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4114 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4115 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4116 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4117 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4119 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4118 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4120 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4121 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4123 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4122 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4124 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4125 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4127 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4126 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4129 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4128 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4130 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4131 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4132 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4133 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4134 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4135 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4137 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4136 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4138 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4140 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4139 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4142 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4141 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4143 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4144 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4145 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4146 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4147 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4148 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4149 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4150 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4151 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4153 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4152 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4155 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4154 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4156 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4157 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4159 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4158 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4160 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4161 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4163 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4162 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4165 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 71 (Pacific, Western Central), 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)
    UoC-4164 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Surrounding Nets - With purse lines (purse seines) 77 (Pacific, Eastern Central)

View glossary of terms

Catch by Species

Species Reported Catch Year Metric Tonnes
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) 2025 2,850
Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) 2025 59,290
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) 2025 10,664

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 03 Nov 2026 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.