Last updated on 16 January 2018
The skipjack tuna population in the western and central Pacific Ocean is assessed using the MULTIFAN-CL software, which has been used since 2000. The last assessment was conduced in 2016. The model is age (16 quarterly age classes) and spatially structured for quarterly time periods from 1972-2014 and includes catch, effort, size composition and tagging data. This new assessment included a modified tagging input file, changes to the relative weighting of the CPUE, legnth composition and tagging data and modifications to some model parameters {McKechnie et al. 2016}.
Last updated on 16 January 2018
The Scientific Committee advised the Commission in 2016 that managers should be aware of the total effort in the WCPO region and should take action to keep the spawning biomass near the target reference point (McKechnie et al. 2016).
Last updated on 16 Jan 2018
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
Frecent/FMSY | 0.45 (0.40-0.62) |
SBrecent/SBMSY | 2.31 (1.80 - 2.63) |
SBlatest/SBMSY | 2.56 (1.81-2.93) |
MSY | 1.891 million mt (1.591 million mt – 2.076 million mt) |
*current represents 2011-2014 and latest represents 2014
(Rice et al. 2014)
Last updated on 16 January 2018
The current biomass is above levels needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and fishing mortality rates are below MSY levels. The population of skipjack tuna in the WCPO is neither overfished nor undergoing overfishing (McKechnie et al. 2016).
Last updated on 16 Jan 2018
Skipjack tuna populations are strongly linked to environmental factors such as El Niño. This is especially true in the eastern equatorial region (region 3), where the performance of the fishery is strongly influenced by environmental conditions.
The population of skipjack tuna is currently moderately exploited and fishing levels are sustainable. Fishing levels have been increasing through time but are still below levels needed to produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) {McKechnie et al. 2016}.
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Skipjack tuna - Western and Central Pacific Ocean, Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), Philippines, Unassociated purse seining