The fate of tuna species rests in our hands. Will we give tuna, one of the most beautiful and perfectly evolved marine fish, a chance to recover or will it be fished to extinction?
Tuna
Key Facts
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Common Name
Tuna
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Family / Genus
Scombridae / Thunnus
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Endangered?
Some species are critically endangered
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How many?
There are 8 tuna species in the Thunnus genus
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Geographic location
Tuna species are found in all temperate and tropical waters
Tuna is the dominant predator in temperate and tropical ocean ecosytems around the world.
It is one of the most commercially valuable fish on Earth, with the major markets focusing on albacore, bigeye, yellowfin and the 3 bluefin species. Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is also an important component of the tuna market. The other 2 members of the Thunnis family are Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) and Longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol).
Tuna is perhaps the most high profile victim of unregulated and uncontrolled overfishing. Bluefin tuna populations have declined alarmingly over the past few decades. The decline has largely been driven by Japanese demand for sushi and sashimi.
There are 2 populations of Atlantic bluefin tuna. The smaller western stock has declined by nearly 90% since the 1970s and is classified as critically endangered. The larger eastern stock, which spawns in the Mediterranean Sea, is currently classified as endangered but in fact is in danger of complete commercial and biological extinction. Both populations are classified as overfished, but overfishing continues.
There are now concerns about the future viability of other tuna species including western and central Pacific bigeye and yellowfin tuna.
What are the threats to tuna?
Rampant overfishing of tuna, in particular bluefin tuna has led to a specatcular collapse of the species. Despite increased awareness of the plight of bluefin tuna, there is as yet no sign of a permanent recovery of this species and there are also concerns that yellowfin and bigeye tuna will suffer a similar fate.Tuna is perhaps the most high profile victim of unregulated and uncontrolled overfishing. Bluefin tuna populations have declined alarmingly over the past few decades. The decline has largely been driven by Japanese demand for sushi and sashimi.
There are 2 populations of Atlantic bluefin tuna. The smaller western stock has declined by nearly 90% since the 1970s and is classified as critically endangered. The larger eastern stock, which spawns in the Mediterranean Sea, is currently classified as endangered but in fact is in danger of complete commercial and biological extinction. Both populations are classified as overfished, but overfishing continues.
There are now concerns about the future viability of other tuna species including western and central Pacific bigeye and yellowfin tuna.
Food web
Tuna eat:
- Smaller schooling fish such as herring, mackerel, flying fish and anchovies
- Squid, eels and crustaceans
- Larger tuna species
- Billfish
- Sharks
- Humans
What is WWF doing?
WWF works to promote sustainable fishing. Its activities include:
- Ensuring ecologically based fisheries management which delivers equitable benefits to local communities.
- Reducing illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.
- Implementing incentives for sustainable fishing practices.
- Helping inform and engage civil society on the importance, status and management of oceanic fisheries resources.
- Making the tuna fisheries more sustainable by turtle bycatch reduction through gear change and the promotion of best fishing practices.
- Participation in tagging exercises to understand better migration routes and behaviour.
Pablo Cermeño (right), bluefin tuna officer with the WWF Mediterranean Programme Office provides regular field updates while tagging and tracking bluefin tuna.
How you can help
- Don't buy tuna which is severely threatened by overfishing. Always check that it is sustainably sourced when purchasing and look for MSC certification. Check out WWF's sustainable seafood guide for further information.
- Spread the word! Click on the button to share this information with others via email or your favourite social networking service.
