Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Also known as Tuna, Ocean bonito, Lesser tuna, Aku
Culinary Profile
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Firm and moist with large flakes.
Skipjack is an excellent source of low-fat protein.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Skipjack tuna do not have scales except on the corselet (a band of large, thick scales behind the head) and the faint lateral line running lengthwise down each side of the fish. Their back is dark purplish blue, and their lower sides and belly are silvery with four to six conspicuous longitudinal dark bands, which may look like continuous lines of dark blotches.
Biology
Like other tropical tunas, skipjack tuna grow fast, up to over 3 feet and 40 pounds, and have a relatively short life span, around 7 years. In the eastern Atlantic, skipjack are able to reproduce when they’re 1 year old. They spawn throughout the year in tropical waters and seasonally (spring to early fall) in subtropical areas.
Where They Live
Range Skipjack tuna are found in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate waters of all oceans. In the western Atlantic, skipjack is found from Massachusetts to Brazil, including in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) and the Caribbean. Habitat Skipjack tuna are a pelagic species. They mostly live in the open ocean, but they may spend part of their life in nearshore waters.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh in late summer through early fall, and frozen and canned year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from New York to Florida.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: Skipjack tuna are caught by U.S. vessels in the western North Atlantic, but are only a minor component of total U.S. tuna landings and a very small percentage of the total international landings of western Atlantic skipjack tuna. In 2020, the United States contributed less than one percent of the total western Atlantic skipjack landings. Almost all of the U.S. commercial harvest of skipjack tuna comes from the Pacific . Much of it is exported to foreign markets. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: In the Atlantic, U.S. commercial fishermen mainly use handgear to harvest skipjack tuna. Handgear includes rod-and-reel and handline gear, which consists of a mainline that is retrieved by hand with no more than two hooks attached.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Atlantic Skipjack Tuna ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g | 10 / 111 | 91% |
| Iron | 1.25 mg | 16 / 111 | 86% |
| Zinc | 0.82 mg | 24 / 111 | 78% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Phosphorus | 222 mg | 35 / 111 | 68% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.9 µg | 46 / 106 | 57% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 185 mg | 56 / 104 | 46% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 71 mg | 70 / 104 | 33% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Skipjack Tuna.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Atlantic Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Both wild-caught and farmed striped bass have a slightly sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What else is Atlantic Skipjack Tuna called?
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna is also marketed as Tuna, Ocean bonito, Lesser tuna, Aku.
Is Atlantic Skipjack Tuna a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Atlantic Skipjack Tuna supplies 71 mg of EPA and 185 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
Where in the water column does Atlantic Skipjack Tuna live?
Range Skipjack tuna are found in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate waters of all oceans. In the western Atlantic, skipjack is found from Massachusetts to Brazil, including in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) and the Caribbean. Habitat Skipjack tuna are a pelagic species. They mostly live in the open ocean, but they may spend part of their life in nearshore waters.
What does Atlantic Skipjack Tuna eat?
Like other tropical tunas, skipjack tuna grow fast, up to over 3 feet and 40 pounds, and have a relatively short life span, around 7 years. In the eastern Atlantic, skipjack are able to reproduce when they’re 1 year old. They spawn throughout the year in tropical waters and seasonally (spring to early fall) in subtropical areas.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic skipjack tuna is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2022 stock assessment, Atlantic skipjack tuna is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) assesses the abundance of Atlantic skipjack tuna and evaluates the sustainability of current and proposed harvest practices.…
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to harvest skipjack tuna has no impact on habitat because it does not contact the ocean floor.
Bycatch
Bycatch is minimal because rod-and-reel gear and handlines are very selective.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division manage the Atlantic skipjack tuna fishery in the United States. Managed under the Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan : Commercial fishermen must have a permit to harvest skipjack. Gear restrictions.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 19 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.