Tuna Facts · Indian Ocean (IO)
About 24 percent of the world’s tuna comes from the Indian Ocean. In 2008 the catch was estimated to be 870,000 tonnes.
For the latest information on stock health, read Status of World Fisheries for Tuna.
SKIPJACK
The 2008 catch of Indian Ocean skipjack was 405,198 tonnes.
The average size of IO skipjack is close to 2.6kg (5.7 lbs) to 4.5kg (10 lbs) – depending on the fishing method used.
Generally concentrated in the Western Indian Ocean between 15°N and 20°S and 75°E and mainland Africa.
The top 3 IO skipjack catches by nation are Maldives, Spain and Iran (in descending order).
YELLOWFIN
The 2008 catch of Indian Ocean yellowfin was 322,272 tonnes.
The average size of IO yellowfin ranges from 5kg (11 lbs) to 25kg (55 lbs) – depending on the fishing method used.
BIGEYE
The 2008 catch of Indian Ocean bigeye was 110,288 tonnes.
The average size of IO bigeye ranges from 2kg (4.5 lbs) to 40kg (88 lbs) – depending on the fishing method used.
Status of the Stocks
ALBACORE
The 2008 catch of Indian Ocean albacore was 33,056 tonnes.
IO Albacore is concentrated mainly between 20-40°S, and west of 100 °E.
