Farmed tunas, skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, live, fresh or chilled

cpc code 04252 covers the production and trade of farmed tunas, skipjack, and stripe-bellied bonito. These high-value pelagic fish species are an important part of the global seafood industry, providing a source of protein and essential nutrients. The farming of these species has become increasingly common as wild stocks have declined, making this industry a crucial component of the broader aquaculture sector.

Farmed tunas, skipjack, and stripe-bellied bonito are typically raised in offshore net pens or onshore recirculating aquaculture systems. The fish are fed a diet of high-protein feeds, often containing fishmeal and fish oil. Water quality and temperature are closely monitored to optimize growth and health. Harvesting is done by netting or crowding the fish into a smaller area before transferring them to processing facilities.

The main inputs required for the production of farmed tunas, skipjack, and stripe-bellied bonito include juvenile fish (known as fingerlings or smolts), high-quality feed, specialized aquaculture equipment such as net pens and water treatment systems, and skilled labor to manage the farming operations. Energy, fuel, and other utilities are also significant inputs.

The primary output of this industry is live, fresh, or chilled tunas, skipjack, and stripe-bellied bonito. These products are often exported to international markets and may be consumed directly or used as inputs for other seafood processing activities, such as canning (04253 Tunas, skipjack and stripe-bellied bonito, prepared or preserved) or smoking (04254 Tunas, skipjack and stripe-bellied bonito, dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked).