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Seafood Watch - Seafood Guide

Tuna, Skipjack

SEAFOOD	RATING	MARKET NAMES	WHERE CAUGHT	HOW CAUGHT
Tuna, Skipjack		Aku, Canned Light Tuna, Bonito, Katsuo	Worldwide	Troll, Pole-and-line
Tuna, Skipjack		Aku, Canned Light Tuna, Bonito, Katsuo	U.S. Atlantic, Hawaii	Longline
Tuna, Skipjack		Aku, Canned Light Tuna, Bonito, Katsuo	Imported	Longline

Skipjack Tuna

Skipjack tuna grows and matures quickly, helping ensure that the majority of its populations are healthy and abundant. There are concerns with some of the methods used to catch it.

Consumer Note

Skipjack is most often sold as canned light tuna and is the most common species found in tuna cans. It’s also sold fresh or frozen. Some segments of the sashimi market prefer skipjack and use it interchangeably with yellowfin tuna

in grilled or fried preparations. It’s known as katsuo or bonito

when prepared for sushi.

Summary

Skipjack tuna is found throughout many of the world’s oceans. It matures at an early age making it more resilient to high levels of fishing than most other tuna species.

Skipjack is caught with troll, pole-and-line, purse seine and longline gear. There is little or no bycatch

when skipjack is caught with troll or pole-and-line gear.

Longlines, one method used to catch tuna, results in large bycatch of skipjack, in addition to threatened or endangered species such as sea turtles, sharks and seabirds. Since there are no international laws to reduce bycatch, these longline fleets are contributing heavily to the long-term decline of some of these species.

Look for skipjack caught with troll or pole-and-line, which has very low bycatch and is a "Best Choice."

Scientific Reports About Our Ratings

Skipjack Tuna Seafood Watch Report

Longlining & Purse Seining Fact Cards

Trolling Fact Card

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