Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), the smallest of the commercial tuna species, form both free schools and schools associated with floating objects.
Found mainly in the tropical areas of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, skipjack are the principal species associated with FADs and are caught in conjunction with juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tunas.
Skipjack accounted for about 57% of the 5.1-million-tonne global tuna catch in 2021.
Species Characteristics
| Size (cm) | Weight (kg) | Age (yrs) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 40–80 | ||
| Maximum | 108 | 33 | 6–10 |
| Maturity | 43 | 1.6 | 1–1.5 |
| Generation Length |
3 |
Geographic Limits
- 55–60° N and 45–50° S
- The greatest abundance is seen in equatorial waters
Species Management
The following five skipjack stocks are assessed and managed by the RFMOs:
- Eastern Atlantic
- Western Atlantic
- Eastern Pacific
- Western Pacific
- Indian Ocean
RELATED RESOURCES
Skipjack Stock Health & Catch Trends
Use our “Interactive Stock Status and Catch Tool” to visualize, download, and share data about skipjack tuna:
- Stock health since 2011
- Current catch by fishing method
- Catch trends by fishing method since 1950
Tuna Conservation
Our research and advocacy work aims to ensure, on a global level, that tuna resources are well managed and protected from overfishing.
Tuna Stock Evaluations
An ISSF report uses the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) scoring system to evaluate both the health and RFMO management of 23 tuna stocks worldwide, including bluefin.
