The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) divided the oceans in 19 fishing areas. These areas have a number and a name that specifies the area. If possible, the limits follow the boundaries determined in international fisheries agreements or by fishing organizations. The FAO fishing areas are the base for a global classification of the origin of fish products. The fishing areas are subdivided in ecological regions. The fishing area 71 (Pacific, Western Central), for example, includes the eco-regions Indonesian Sea, North, North Eastern and Eastern Central Australia as well as Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea and the South China Sea. Skipjack tuna comes from these regions. Regular controls and the inspection of the catch landed as well as the spawning stocks in these areas are supposed to help protecting the species.

An overview of our fishing areas can be found here (PDF).