Recommendation
At a glance
Skipjack tuna caught in the Indian Ocean with handlines and hand-operated pole-and-lines is rated red. The population isn't depleted or experiencing overfishing, but the rules to control how much is harvested are not being followed. Also, the catch of overfished yellowfin tuna is a serious concern. Management is ineffective overall because scientific advice to reduce overfishing of yellowfin tuna isn't being followed. Species that play an essential role in the food web are caught or used for bait, and there are some measures to protect the ecosystem. Pole-and-line gears don't impact the habitat.
Under the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program, companies must track their skipjack tuna imports from the point of harvest to when they enter the U.S. This program aims to stop illegally caught or counterfeit seafood from entering the American market.
Update in progress
This rating is currently being updated. Track our assessments.
Overall score: 1.893
Impacts on the Species Under Assessment
3.318
Impacts on Other Capture Species
1.000
Management Effectiveness
1.000
Impacts on the Habitat and Ecosystem
3.873
FISHING METHOD
Handlines and hand-operated pole-and-lines
Handlines and hand-operated pole-and-lines catch fish with one or more fishing lines with baited hooks. The lines may or may not be attached to poles, and reels are often used to operate and retrieve the catch. These gears are used to catch cod, rockfish, tuna, and many other species.
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