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listao capturé à la senne dans l'océan indien bycatch

Skipjack tuna

A fast-swimming tropical tuna vital to global fisheries.

Photo: Karg se, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The skipjack tuna is a pelagic fish found in warm waters worldwide. It supports major commercial fisheries and is central to cuisines in Japan, Indonesia, and Hawaii. Its population remains sustainable despite high catch volumes.

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  • Third highest marine capture fishery by volume globally.
  • Contains 68% skeletal muscle devoted to locomotion.
  • Spawning occurs year-round in equatorial waters.
  • Up to 95% of catches are used for canned tuna.
  • No swim bladder requires constant swimming for buoyancy.

What it is

This streamlined fish belongs to the tuna family and is the sole member of its genus. It lacks scales except for a thick band behind the head and along the lateral line. Without a swim bladder, it must swim constantly to maintain buoyancy. Adults typically reach eighty centimetres in length and weigh up to ten kilograms, though larger specimens exist. Its body is composed largely of muscle dedicated to movement.

Where it lives

Skipjack tuna inhabit tropical and warm-temperate oceans across the globe. They prefer surface waters where they form massive shoals, sometimes containing tens of thousands of individuals. These groups often mix with other related species. The fish are highly sensitive to environmental shifts, which can alter their distribution patterns and availability to fishermen in different regions.

How it lives

These predators feed on smaller fish, crustaceans, and squid. They serve as key prey for sharks and large pelagic hunters. Fishermen also use them as live bait for marlin. Skipjack are batch spawners, releasing eggs in groups. Spawning happens throughout the year near the equator but becomes more seasonal in areas further from the tropics. First reproduction occurs at a fork length of about forty-five centimetres.

Skipjack tuna
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

This species supports the third largest marine capture fishery by volume. Catches are sold fresh, canned, or dried. In Japan, it is prepared as sashimi or dried into flakes for soup stock. Indonesian cuisine features smoked variants, while Hawaiians eat it raw or seared. Spanish trade relies heavily on pickled forms. Concerns exist regarding mercury levels and contamination from ship paints in some regions.

Status and threats

The population is currently considered sustainable relative to fishing pressure. It is the most fecund of the main commercial tunas. However, fishing methods remain debated. Purse seine nets can cause significant bycatch, especially when using aggregation devices. Rod and reel methods are viewed as more ecologically sound. Labels now often indicate the capture method to guide consumer choice.

Skipjack tuna ( Katsuwonus pelamis ) in a Philippine fish market. Locally known in Cebuano as bariles or budlisan .
Skipjack tuna ( Katsuwonus pelamis ) in a Philippine fish market. Locally known in Cebuano as bariles or budlisan .. Photo: Obsidian Soul, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Skipjack tuna
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Two scientists, Bell M. Shimada and Fred Cleaver, are each examining a skipjack tuna at a wooden table in a large open building. Fred Cleaver is holding a knife. The photo is black and white and includes a printed captio
Two scientists, Bell M. Shimada and Fred Cleaver, are each examining a skipjack tuna at a wooden table in a large open b. Photo: Photographer: M. B. Schaefer Credit: NOAA Central Library Historical F, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Japan; Woodblock print; Prints
Japan; Woodblock print; Prints. Photo: Utagawa Hiroshige, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Skipjack tuna

Is skipjack tuna safe to eat during pregnancy?

Health advisors suggest limiting consumption due to moderate mercury contamination. Pregnant women are specifically advised against eating large quantities of this fish to avoid potential health risks associated with mercury exposure.

Why is skipjack tuna important in Japanese cuisine?

Known as katsuo, it is eaten raw, seared, or dried. The dried flakes, called katsuobushi, are essential for making dashi soup stock. It is also used as a seasoning for rice balls and tofu dishes.

How is skipjack tuna usually caught?

Most commercial catches use purse seine nets. This method allows for large volumes but can result in bycatch. Some fisheries use rod and reel methods, which are considered more environmentally friendly but less efficient for mass production.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Skipjack tuna", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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