By Atuna
Poor tuna catches in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) seem to be a subject far from being over. Reports from fishermen keep coming and the data from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) confirms that especially skipjack catches have again dropped in the past year, after having reached a peak in 2008.
Total tuna catches in 2009 reached 538.634 MT, hardly different from the previous year with 566.561 MT. However, once you look at the numbers more closely, skipjack catches were down by 33% during that period and yellowfin catches were up 21% to offset the decline.
Monthly data from IATTC can show a clearer picture of the situation by stock. The graph below is a comparison of tuna catches from several years during the first two months of the year. Since 2008, catches of skipjack went down during that period, dragging the total catches amount with it. Interestingly enough is the fact that when considering earlier years, such as 2006 and 2007, the current harvest levels are simply referring back to normal levels before the peak in 2008.
The IATTC scientific body does not support statements alleging tuna mobility as a cause to lower catches nor has an official response about El Nino shown possible affects on tuna fishing.
