Skipjack tuna

The last stock assessment completed for Eastern Atlantic Skipjack tuna was completed in 2011, and used catch data up to 2010 (ICCAT 2009b, 2012b). The recent stock assessment report reveals that the skipjack tuna – Eastern Atlantic stock is healthy and current F2008/Fmsy is <1 and B2008/Bmsy is >1(ICCAT 2012). Methods used in recent skipjack tuna stock assessments include Multifan-CL model, Catch-only model, and Bayesian Surplus Production Model methods (ICCAT 2009b).

Catch data from Ghanaian tuna fleet as been used to estimate catch at size and indices of abundance for stock assessments in recent years (Kell et al., 2011).

The last stock assessment completed for Eastern Atlantic Skipjack tuna was completed in 2011, and used catch data up to 2010 (ICCAT 2009b, 2012b). The recent stock assessment report reveals that the skipjack tuna – Eastern Atlantic stock is healthy and current F2008/Fmsy is <1 and B2008/Bmsy is >1(ICCAT 2012). Methods used in recent skipjack tuna stock assessments include Multifan-CL model, Catch-only model, and Bayesian Surplus Production Model methods (ICCAT 2009b).

“Complete data on fishery statistics of the artisanal fishery are estimated by extrapolation from landings sampled from harbours of each region (Ferraris, 1994). Observer’s record catches are directly reported at sea for foreign vessels and landings for national industrial vessels are recorded at Dakar harbour. Direction of Oceanography and Maritime Fisheries (DOPM) is responsible for collection and analysis of marine fisheries statistics in Senegal” (Pramod and Pitcher 2006).

The last stock assessment completed for Eastern Atlantic Skipjack tuna was completed in 2011, and used catch data up to 2010 (ICCAT 2009, 2012b). The recent stock assessment report reveals that the skipjack tuna – Eastern Atlantic stock is healthy and current F2008/Fmsy is <1 and B2008/Bmsy is >1(ICCAT 2012). Methods used in recent skipjack tuna stock assessments include Multifan-CL model, Catch-only model, and Bayesian Surplus Production Model methods (ICCAT 2009).

The last stock assessment completed for Eastern Atlantic Skipjack tuna was completed in 2011, and used catch data up to 2010 (ICCAT 2009, 2012b). The recent stock assessment report reveals that the skipjack tuna – Eastern Atlantic stock is healthy and current F2008/Fmsy is <1 and B2008/Bmsy is >1(ICCAT 2012). Methods used in recent skipjack tuna stock assessments include Multifan-CL model, Catch-only model, and Bayesian Surplus Production Model methods (ICCAT 2009).

There is a need to adequately quantify tuna catches from artisanal fleets along the Eastern Atlantic countries to provide more reliable stock assessment estimates.

Last updated on 12 Oct 2012

Source: ICCAT (2009, 2012).
MSY: 143,000-170,000 tonnes
Current Replacement Yield: >164,000 tonnes
B2008/Bmsy: likely >1
F2008/Fmsy: likely <1

There is a need to adequately quantify tuna catches from artisanal fleets along the Eastern Atlantic countries to provide more reliable stock assessment estimates.

Last updated on 05 Nov 2012

Source: ICCAT (2009, 2012).
MSY: 143,000 – 170,000 tonnes
Current Replacement Yield: >164,000 tonnes
B2008/Bmsy: likely >1
F2008/Fmsy: likely <1

No scientific advice is regularly or systematically provided for Skipjack tuna in Canary islands.

Last updated on 08 Sep 2012

Source: ICCAT (2009, 2012).
MSY: 143,000 – 170,000 tonnes
Current Replacement Yield: >164,000 tonnes
B2008/Bmsy: likely >1
F2008/Fmsy: likely <1

No scientific advice is regularly or systematically provided for Skipjack tuna in Canary islands.

Last updated on 08 Sep 2012

Source: ICCAT (2009, 2012).
MSY: 143,000 – 170,000 tonnes
Current Replacement Yield: >164,000 tonnes
B2008/Bmsy: likely >1
F2008/Fmsy: likely <1

In 2009, St Helena there was no quota allocation or catch limits for skipjack tuna (St Helena share of ICCAT quota allocated under UK overseas Territory). Carleton et al (2010).

Skipjack catches have been below 110 tonnes since 2003 in St Helena waters (Carleton et al 2010).

2005 catch (St Helena): 63 tonnes skipjack tuna
2006 catch: 88 tonnes
2007 Catch: 110 tonnes

The most recent stock assessment suggests that Skipjack tuna stock in Eastern Atlantic is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring (ICCAT 2009b, 2012).

Last updated on 12 Oct 2012

Skipjack tuna catches for East and West Atlantic combined were about 142,200 tonnes in 2006 (115,700 tonnes from East Atlantic and 26,500 tonnes from West Atlantic) ICCAT (2009b). Skipjack tuna catches have been increasing progressively from 1950-1990, with catches increasing from 45,000 tonnes in 1970 to 98,000 tonnes in 1980, and then peaking at 186,000 tonnes in 1991, and declining to 119,000 tonnes in 2000, with catches in range of 115 -126,000 tonnes in the last decade (ICCAT 2009b, 2012).

The most recent stock assessment suggests that Skipjack tuna stock in Eastern Atlantic is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring (ICCAT 2009b, 2012).

Last updated on 05 Nov 2012

Skipjack tuna catches for East and West Atlantic combined were about 142,200 tonnes in 2006 (115,700 tonnes from East Atlantic and 26,500 tonnes from West Atlantic) ICCAT (2009b). Skipjack tuna catches have been increasing progressively from 1950-1990, with catches increasing from 45,000 tonnes in 1970 to 98,000 tonnes in 1980, and then peaking at 186,000 tonnes in 1991, and declining to 119,000 tonnes in 2000, with catches in range of 115 -126,000 tonnes in the last decade (ICCAT 2009b, 2012).

The most recent stock assessment suggests that Skipjack tuna stock in Eastern Atlantic is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring (ICCAT 2009, 2012).

Last updated on 17 Oct 2012

Skipjack tuna catches for East and West Atlantic combined were about 142,200 tonnes in 2006 (115,700 tonnes from East Atlantic and 26,500 tonnes from West Atlantic) ICCAT (2009). Skipjack tuna catches have been increasing progressively from 1950-1990, with catches increasing from 45,000 tonnes in 1970 to 98,000 tonnes in 1980, and then peaking at 186,000 tonnes in 1991, and declining to 119,000 tonnes in 2000, with catches in range of 115 -126,000 tonnes in the last decade (ICCAT 2009, 2012).

The most recent stock assessment suggests that Skipjack tuna stock in Eastern Atlantic is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring (ICCAT 2009, 2012).

Last updated on 17 Oct 2012

Skipjack tuna catches for East and West Atlantic combined were about 142,200 tonnes in 2006 (115,700 tonnes from East Atlantic and 26,500 tonnes from West Atlantic) ICCAT (2009). Skipjack tuna catches have been increasing progressively from 1950-1990, with catches increasing from 45,000 tonnes in 1970 to 98,000 tonnes in 1980, and then peaking at 186,000 tonnes in 1991, and declining to 119,000 tonnes in 2000, with catches in range of 115 -126,000 tonnes in the last decade (ICCAT 2009, 2012).

The stock is healthy and fishing mortality is below the target level that, if maintained, will predictably hold the healthy condition of the stock.

Size distribution and species composition are regularly checked for tuna landings at Tema port (Bannerman 2010). Data on spatial-temporal distribution of fleet activity for Ghanaian fleets has also been improved through recovery of logbook information for surface tuna fleets from 1992-2007.

Last updated on 10 Jan 2011

None are reported in the management plan.

All Senegalese vessels have satellite based Argos receivers on fishing vessels that allows for VMS monitoring of the fleet. Boarding tag is mandatory prior to obtaining and holding a fishing authorization governed by a ministerial decree on the organization and operation of the positioning and location of the vessels. All domestic and foreign landings are monitored and inspected by the inspection device set in place at the port of Dakar.

Last updated on 05 Nov 2012

None are reported for this fishery in the current management plan for Senegal waters.

Minimum size limits are in place for several coastal fish and shellfish species, but there appear to be no size restrictions for tuna fishing in Lanzarote waters. Inshore fishery is managed through licensing and area restrictions by depth and vessel type for several coastal fish species.

Last updated on 08 Sep 2012

None are foreseen under the current ICCAT management policy.

Minimum size limits are in place for several coastal fish and shellfish species, but there appear to be no size restrictions for tuna fishing in Lanzarote waters. Inshore fishery is managed through licensing and area restrictions by depth and vessel type for several coastal fish species.

Last updated on 08 Sep 2012

None are foreseen under the current ICCAT management policy.

There are no reported problems with illegal catches in this fishery.

There are no reported problems with illegal catches for pole and line vessels operating from Senegal in this fishery.

IUU catches from distant water fleets remains a problem, esp., in offshore waters and such catches remain unquantified in tuna fisheries off West Africa.

Compliance is relatively good for Spanish fleets operating in the North Atlantic Ocean (ICCAT 2012a, page 63). Servicio Marítimo in the Guardia Civil appear to conduct regular inspections for enforcing minimum size limits for several coastal finfish and shellfish species through inspections at spillways, points of sale, markets and restaurants in Canary islands (Anon 2012). Existing information suggests that tuna and other large pelagics do not appear to have any size or retention limits in the Lanzarote sportfishing sector. Fishing licenses are required for nearshore fishing in Lanzarote. They include A) Class 1: Fishing from the shore B) Class 2: Spear fishing; C) Class 3: Fishing from a boat. There are reports of illegal fishing in port area, near ship wrecks and in smaller bays (Anon 2012). Extent of unreported catches (mainly catches for consumption at home and direct sales to restaurants) is difficult to enumerate due to large number of landing sites that are relatively unmonitored (Melnychuk et al., 2001). The same source citing a pers comm., from P. Martin-Sosa mentions that unreported catch in Lanzarote could range from 15-20% of the reported landed catch (Melnychuk et al., 2001).

Compliance is relatively good for Spanish fleets operating in the North Atlantic Ocean (ICCAT 2012a, page 63). Servicio Marítimo in the Guardia Civil appear to conduct regular inspections for enforcing minimum size limits for several coastal finfish and shellfish species through inspections at spillways, points of sale, markets and restaurants in Canary islands (Anon 2012). Existing information suggests that tuna and other large pelagics do not appear to have any size or retention limits in the Lanzarote sportfishing sector. Fishing licenses are required for nearshore fishing in Lanzarote. They include A) Class 1: Fishing from the shore B) Class 2: Spear fishing; C) Class 3: Fishing from a boat. There are reports of illegal fishing in port area, near ship wrecks and in smaller bays (Anon 2012). Extent of unreported catches (mainly catches for consumption at home and direct sales to restaurants) is difficult to enumerate due to large number of landing sites that are relatively unmonitored (Melnychuk et al., 2001). The same source citing a pers comm., from P. Martin-Sosa mentions that unreported catch in Lanzarote could range from 15-20% of the reported landed catch (Melnychuk et al., 2001).

Bulk of the fishery is concentrated very close to the shore, so offshore waters and sea mounts are not patrolled for illegal fishing by foreign fleets(Carleton et al 2010).

Although, the small size of the fishing fleet and single landing point make it difficult for fisheries violations to go undetected; lack of regulations, observer scheme and regular sea and aerial patrols are gaps that need attention (Carleton et al 2010).

There is no data on interactions with PET species in this fishery.

There is no information on interactions with PET species in this fishery.

There is no information on interactions with PET species in this fishery in Canary Islands.

There is no information on interactions with PET species in this fishery in Canary Islands.

St Helena Endangered Species Protection Ordinance stipulates that it is illegal to catch or kill cetaceans, turtles and sea birds. There is minimal interaction with these species in pole and line fisheries, and mandate to release any accidental catch poses less threat to these animals.

Cetacean sightings (Humpback Whales; Dolphins) are anecdotally reported, and their documentation remains inadequate in St Helena waters (Weir 2010 ; Bennett and MacLeod 2006).

Hawksbill and green turtles occur in St Helena waters throughout the year but are rarely monitored (Carleton et al 2010).

There is shortage of data on by-catch species retained and discarded in this fishery operating from Ghanaian ports (Pramod and Pitcher 2006).

In the artisanal fisheries, drifting gillnets are used to catch tunas, swordfish, sharks and sailfish (FCWC 2012). In the industrial tuna fisheries, there is reported use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) to catch tuna by both purse seiners and boatboats alluding to relatively high by-catch of sensitive species in this fishery. Both fleets employ around 1500 FADS to target tuna (ICCAT 2012b). It is unknown if observers onboard (present since 2009) collect data on by-catch of other non-target species in this fishery.

In the industrial tuna fisheries, there is reported use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) to catch tuna by both purse seiners and boatboats alluding to relatively high by-catch of sensitive species in this fishery. Both fleets employ around 1500 FADS to target tuna (ICCAT 2012b).

By-catch and discards are negligible in this fishery according to 2010 Friend of the Sea Audit Report.

Pole and line vessels target skipjack, bluefin and juvenile yellowfin/albacore tuna primarily for the canning industry (Majkowski et al ., 2007). By-catch rates are relatively low for pole and line fisheries, and where it occurs mostly consists of juvenile kawakawa tuna (Euthynnus affinis),mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus), frigate mackerel (Auxis rochei), and rainbow runner (Elagatis bupinnulata) (FAO 1997; Gilman 2011).

Pole and line vessels target skipjack, bluefin and juvenile yellowfin/albacore tuna primarily for the canning industry (Majkowski et al ., 2007). By-catch rates are relatively low for pole and line fisheries, and where it occurs mostly consists of juvenile kawakawa tuna (Euthynnus affinis),mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus), frigate mackerel (Auxis rochei), and rainbow runner (Elagatis bupinnulata) (FAO 1997; Gilman 2011).

Systematic collection of discards is not available for albacore fisheries in St Helena waters; data on bycatch landed is available in Carleton et al (2010).

Decapterus spp. are regularly caught for use as baitfish in Tuna fisheries; and such catches remain unquantified.
Information from Carleton et al (2010) suggests that with the exception of some sharks most of the other bycatch is landed for domestic consumption.

The same source suggests that discards are often less, with any occasional catch of blue sharks released into water.

Primary gear used to catch skipjack tuna, including pelagic purse seines and pole and line do not come in direct contact with the sea floor. Lost and discarded gear can damage coastal habitats.

Last updated on 15 Oct 2012

None are reported in the jurisdiction of this fishery.

Primary gear used to catch skipjack tuna, including pelagic pole and line do not come in direct contact with the sea floor. Lost and discarded gear can damage coastal habitats.

Last updated on 05 Nov 2012

None are reported in the jurisdiction of this fishery.

Pelagic troll/pole gear have a negligible effect on the biogenic and physical habitat because they have no contact with the seafloor (Chuenpagdee et al. 2003).

Last updated on 17 Oct 2012

Under Decreto 62/1995, Isla Graciosa e Islotes del Norte de Lanzarote marine reserve has been declared over a 707 km area (Anon 1995; Tuya et al., 2006).

ICCAT Rec. 04-01 (effective since 2005) time-area closure to reduce incidental mortality of juvenile bigeye tuna with expected effect for all tropical tunas.

Pelagic troll/pole gear have a negligible effect on the biogenic and physical habitat because they have no contact with the seafloor (Chuenpagdee et al. 2003).

Last updated on 17 Oct 2012

Under Decreto 62/1995, Isla Graciosa e Islotes del Norte de Lanzarote marine reserve has been declared over a 707 km area (Anon 1995; Tuya et al., 2006).

ICCAT Rec. 04-01 (effective since 2005) time-area closure to reduce incidental mortality of juvenile bigeye tuna with expected effect for all tropical tunas.

Pole and line and other pelagic fishing gear do not come in contact with the bottom and has nominal effect on marine habitats.