Thermal physiology and movements of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) from tag releases off the northern coast of Japan: Possible insights into spawning and wintering strategies.

ABSTRACT: Understanding movements for spawning of tunas is essential for gaining insight into population dynamics and can provide information on the reproductive characteristics of tuna stocks. Skipjack tuna spawn in tropical and subtropical areas and southward movement of presumed adult fish from the northern extents of their range may be related to spawning. We investigated southward movement patterns of skipjack tuna from the northern habitat limit of the northwestern Pacific Ocean using plastic dart tags and archival tag data. Observations uncovered a new alternative movement group that resides around the northern habitat at least for 9 months (residence group), confirming spawning potential movement toward tropical and subtropical areas (spawning potential group). The spawning potential group,

SUBMITTER: Ueda Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12671813 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature