Skipjack Tuna Pole & Line Fishery

pelagikos is working with the DAFR and boat owners to modernize the operation of the traditional pole and line fishery in Trincomalee and Matara Fisheries Districts. Key interventions include the provision of binoculars to enhance sightings of skipjack schools; the introduction of light weight, yet strong carbon-fibre poles to replace bamboo fising poles; the motorization of the water spraying system and actions to address shortages of live-bait caused by illegal ring-net fishing in Trincomalee Fisheries District.

Biology & Ecology: Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) are a marine, pelagic, oceanic and highly migratory species found from the surface to a depth of 260 m. Skipjack tunar reach a maximum size of 110 cm (TL) and can weigh up to 34 kg. Skipjack tuna form large free-swimming schools as well as around floating objects, where their feeding behaviour often attracts large flocks of seabirds. Skipjack tuna prey on other fish species, crustaceans and cephalopods. Skipjack tuna spawn throughout the year in tropical waters.

Fisheries & Status: Pole and line fishing is a traditional form of harvesting skipjack tuna in Sri Lanka. Fishermen use bamboo poles, barbless hooks, live-bait and manual water spraying to attract and catch skipjack tuna, operating from traditional small scale fishing boats and one-day boats with inboard engines within and beyond the territorial sea. The average daily catch in Trincomalee District was 1,300 kg per boat per day during the 2025 fishing season. Skipjack tuna are one of the 28 tuna and tuna-like species managed by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). The IOTC’s assessment of the Indian Ocean skipjack tuna fishery in 2023 determined that the probability of the stock being in the green Kobe quadrant was 70% i.e. the fishery was sustainable. The Indian Ocean skipjack tuna stock was determined to be not overfished and not subject to overfishing.

Sustainable Sri Lankan Seafood: The International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) conducted an assessment of the traditional pole and line fisheries in Trincomalee and Matara Fisheries Districts with the Fishing Operations Division of the DFAR in 2022. The assessment was conducted to assess the potential and constraints of promoting pole and line fishing for skipjack tuna as a financially viable alternative to gillnet fishing. The findings from the 2022 fishery assessments form the basis of the modernization programme implemented by pelagikos with the DFAR in Trincomalee and Matara in 2025. Pole and line caught skipjack tuna are sold fresh to local vendors / retailers and or to regional wholesale markets for fresh Sri Lankan seafood.

Useful links, downloads & videos
2022. IPNLF Report
Executive Summary: Skipjack tuna (2024). Indian Ocean Tuna Commission