The Bluefin Tuna Fishery

These magnificent creatures, also known as Northern Bluefin Tuna or Giant Bluefin Tuna, can be found in both the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Sadly, they've gone extinct in the Black Sea. They're closely related to two other Bluefin tuna species - the Pacific Bluefin tuna and the Southern Bluefin Tuna.

Now, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is a real heavyweight in the ocean, with some individuals weighing in at a whopping 680 kg (1500lbs). This makes them one of the largest perciformes along Broadbill Swordfish and Both Black and Blue Marlin. They certainly have the speed and power to match.

Unfortunately there's a dark side to this story. For centuries, the Atlantic Bluefin tuna has been highly valued as a food fish, and their commercial importance led to severe overfishing. In fact, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) has reported a dramatic decline in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna stocks - by 72% in the Eastern Atlantic, and by 82% in the Western Atlantic - over the last 40 years. Despite increasing pressure to ban the commercial fishing of Bluefin Tuna internationally, a UN proposal to protect the species from international trade was voted down. However, since then, enforcement of regional fishing quotas has led to some increases in population. As of September 2021, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna has been moved from the category of ‘Endangered’ to the category of ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN ‘Red List of Threatened Species’ but many regional populations are still severely depleted, especially in the western stock, which mostly spawn in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bluefin Tuna are captured commercially using various techniques including long lines, purse seines, hook-and-line gear, heavy rods and reels, and harpoons. They're also a popular target for sports fishermen, particularly in the United States, Canada, Spain, France, Italy and since their return the UK.

In conclusion, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is an amazing and powerful fish, but we must work to protect and preserve their populations for future generations to enjoy.