Tuna

Northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) off the coast of Spain. / ©: Brian J. Skerry / National Geographic Stock / WWF
Northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) off the coast of Spain.
© Brian J. Skerry / National Geographic Stock / WWF
WWF focuses on seven tuna predators: the Atlantic, the Southern and the Pacific bluefin as well as the Bigeye, Yellowfin, Albacore and Skipjack tuna. These species have a very high commercial value and are suffering from serious overfishing which endangers their survival. 

WWF priority tuna species

About the species

Tuna is not one fish but a group of different tuna species that are a member of the fish family Scombridae.

Tunas are fast swimmers, with speeds that can reach up to 70km/h. Tuna species muscle tissue usually ranges from pink to dark red, unlike most other fish species that have white flesh.  In addition to their popularity as seafood, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Thunnus species is that it is able to maintain its body temperature above seawater level, which means it can survive in waters with different temperatures. 


/ ©: Michel Gunter WWF Canon
raw tuna pieces selected to be sold as sushi and sashimi
© Michel Gunter WWF Canon

The tuna market

WWF´s seven tuna priority species are amongst the most commercially wanted fish species on the planet.
Tuna was once a low market value substitute for other fish such as salmon and sardines. But since the 1960s, this has drastically changed. Demand and production for tuna products increased rapidly, with world canned tuna (processed) incrementing from 200 000 tonnes in the 1970s to more then one million tonnes in 2000.

New gear technologies such as purse seine nets, a predominant fishing gear now responsible for 62%, of the world production, have resulted in more than 4 million tons annual catches over the last years (FAO, 2010).

Consumption of fresh and frozen tuna remain important and has even increased, especially in North America. Tuna for sushi restaurants and supermarkets has expanded worldwide. Prices paid for tuna are generally higher for fresh than canned tuna. There is a lot of competition amongst the fisheries, industries, and even between the different tuna products (FAO, 2010).

The western and central Pacific Ocean supports the largest tuna fishery of the world. More than 2.3 million tonnes of tuna or 53% of the world production were caught there in recent years.

Market facts

  • Yearly exports of overall tuna products account for 7,8% of the global seafood market (FAO, 2007).
  • The USA alone imported 314.863 tons of tuna valued 1.304 million USD in 2010
  • The UK is the main European canned tuna importing country
  • Canned tuna in Spain exceeded 68% of the total production volume of prepared, canned and semi-preserved seafood in 2010.

What is the problem with tuna?

Overfishing and bycatch
Overfishing of tuna species, in particular of the bluefin tuna, has almost led to its extinction. Tuna is also the "most wanted" fish for those fishing illegally.

Bluefin tuna populations have declined alarmingly over the past few decades, largely driven by worldwide demand for sushi and sashimi. Although governments, the tuna fishing industry and their retailers are increasingly aware of the critical situation, there is as yet no sign of a permanent recovery of this species. Concerns are now also raising about the future viability of other tuna species such as the western and central Pacific bigeye and yellowfin tuna.

The establishment of tuna farms also has a major impact on fisheries, and has contributed to putting fishing pressure on both large and small species. 

If overfishing of tuna, particularly the Atlantic bluefin tuna, continues, the world fisheries will ... / ©: WWF
If overfishing of tuna, particularly the Atlantic bluefin tuna, continues, the world fisheries will be faced with an ecological disaster.
© WWF
 

Pacific longline fisheries

/ ©: Cat HOLLOWAY
Silky shark caught by the fin on an illegal longline hook.
© Cat HOLLOWAY
Bycatch
There is also a lot of bycatch in tuna fisheries.

In thePacific Ocean for instance, millions of baited hooks are set each year on longlines in order to catch tuna and other fish like swordfish and mahi mahi.

However,  marine turtles, sharks, billfish, seabirds, dolphins, juvenile fish and other fish species also get hooked. The bycatch problem is perhaps most acute for marine turtles, especially the critically endangered Pacific leatherback turtles. 

What is WWF doing?

WWF works with other NGO´s and the tuna fishing and processing industry to improve the status of tuna species

We advocate with governments and intergovernmental organisations to make sure that the remaining commercial tuna species are fished in a sustainable way that does not harm the populations and their stocks or their marine environment, and to help recover endangered tuna populations (such as the Bluefin tuna) from depletion.  

Some years ago,WWF created together with 8 of the largest canned tuna industries in the world the International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF). 


WWF´s Smart Fishing approach includes: 
  • Ensuring ecologically based fisheries management which delivers equitable benefits to local communities.
  • Combatting tuna pirate fishing (illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing)
  • Creating incentives for sustainable fishing practices.
  • Promoting certification of tuna fisheries according to the  Marine Stewardship Programme (MSC). 
  • Reducing harmful bycatch practices
  • Participation in tagging exercises to better understand migration routes and behaviour.
Find our more about WWF´s Smart Fishing approach.

Intergovernmental tuna organisations

Important links

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