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STATUS REPORT: EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC SKIPJACK TUNA 



by 



Ronald G. Rinaldo 



Southwest Fisheries Center 



Oceanic Fisheries Resources Division 



La Jolla, California 



ABSTRACT 



The stock structure of skipjack tuna in the Pacific Ocean is poorly 

 understood. In the eastern Pacific fishery for skipjack tuna, there 

 appears to be no significant relationship between effort and apparent 

 abundance. Yield-per-recruit analysis on a partial stock indicates a 

 maximum yield-per-recruit could be obtained at a greater fishing effort 

 than is currently applied. According to the lATTC, the fishery for 

 skipjack tuna in the eastern Pacific does not appear to affect stock 

 abundance, and there is no need to restrict the catch. 



