A review of the fisheries, life history and stock structure of tropical tuna (skipjack Katsuwonus pelamis, yellowfin Thunnus albacares and bigeye Thunnus obesus) in the Indian Ocean

Type Article
Date 2021
Language English
Author(s) Artetxe-Arrate Iraide1, Fraile Igaratza1, Marsac Francis2, 3, Farley Jessica H4, Rodriguez-Ezpeleta Naiara1, Davies Campbell R4, Clear Naomi P4, Grewe Peter4, Murua Hilario1, 5
Affiliation(s) 1 : AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Herrea Kaia, Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
2 : MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Sète, France
3 : Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Sète, France
4 : CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS, Australia
5 : International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, Washington, DC, United States
Source Advances In Marine Biology, Vol 88 (0065-2881) (Elsevier BV), 2021 , Vol. 88 , N. Chap.1 , P. 39-89
DOI 10.1016/bs.amb.2020.09.002
WOS© Times Cited 12
Abstract

Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye (Thunnus obesus) tuna are the target species of tropical tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean, with high commercial value in the international market. High fishing pressure over the past three decades has raised concerns about their sustainability. Understanding life history strategies and stock structure is essential to determine species resilience and how they might respond to exploitation. Here we provide a comprehensive review of available knowledge on the biology, ecology, and stock structure of tropical tuna species in the Indian Ocean. We describe the characteristics of Indian Ocean tropical tuna fisheries and synthesize skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna key life history attributes such as biogeography, trophic ecology, growth, and reproductive biology. In addition, we evaluate the available literature about their stock structure using different approaches such as analysis of fisheries data, genetic markers, otolith microchemistry and tagging, among others. Based on this review, we conclude that there is a clear lack of ocean basin-scale studies on skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna life history, and that regional stock structure studies indicate that the panmictic population assumption of these stocks should be investigated further. Finally, we identify specific knowledge gaps that should be addressed with priority to ensure a sustainable and effective management of these species.

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Artetxe-Arrate Iraide, Fraile Igaratza, Marsac Francis, Farley Jessica H, Rodriguez-Ezpeleta Naiara, Davies Campbell R, Clear Naomi P, Grewe Peter, Murua Hilario (2021). A review of the fisheries, life history and stock structure of tropical tuna (skipjack Katsuwonus pelamis, yellowfin Thunnus albacares and bigeye Thunnus obesus) in the Indian Ocean. Advances In Marine Biology, Vol 88, 88(Chap.1), 39-89. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2020.09.002 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00657/76935/