The magnificent bluefin tuna is a highly migratory species found throughout the world’s oceans. Unfortunately, due to overfishing and other threats, bluefin tuna populations have declined over the past few decades. In 2022, how many of these large, predatory fish are still swimming in our seas?
A Look at Bluefin Tuna Species
There are three distinct species of bluefin tuna
- Atlantic bluefin tuna – Found in the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean
- Pacific bluefin tuna – Occurs in the eastern and western regions of the Pacific Ocean
- Southern bluefin tuna – Inhabits the southern oceans near Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America
The Atlantic and Pacific species are heavily targeted by commercial fisheries for sushi and sashimi markets, resulting in overexploitation. The Southern bluefin is also commercially fished but to a lesser extent.
All three bluefin species undertake long migrations between their spawning and feeding grounds. They are slow to reach sexual maturity and have relatively low reproductive rates, making them vulnerable to population declines when overfished.
Current Global Population Status
In 2022, what is the estimated global population of remaining bluefin tuna?
Unfortunately, it is challenging to provide an exact number due to the migratory nature of tuna and difficulties tracking populations accurately across ocean basins. However, recent stock assessments provide insight into the status of each species:
- **Atlantic bluefin: ** Approximately 596,000 mature individuals estimated in 2020
- Pacific bluefin: Around 37,000-50,000 mature individuals estimated in 2020
- Southern bluefin: Approximately 11% of the 1960 unfished population size
The Atlantic bluefin population appears to be increasing from near collapse in the 2000s, thanks to stricter fishing quotas adopted in the past decade. However, the Pacific and Southern bluefin remain at a fraction of their historical abundance.
All three species were classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List in the past. Currently, the Southern bluefin is listed as endangered, the Pacific bluefin as near threatened, and the Atlantic bluefin as least concern. These classifications may change as new data becomes available.
Causes of Declining Bluefin Tuna Populations
Several key factors have contributed to shrinking global bluefin tuna populations:
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Overfishing – Demand for bluefin meat, especially for sushi, exceeds sustainable catch limits. Illegal fishing also contributes.
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Bycatch – Bluefin are caught as accidental bycatch in fisheries targeting other species. This bycatch is often wasted.
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Habitat degradation – Pollution, climate change, offshore drilling impact their ocean habitats.
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Slow maturation – Bluefins take years to reach maturity and have relatively few offspring, making it hard for populations to rebound.
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Lack of international cooperation – As migratory species, cooperative management between countries is needed but often lacking.
Conservation Outlook in 2022 and Beyond
Looking ahead to 2022 and beyond, what is the outlook for wild bluefin tuna populations? Reasons for optimism include:
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Some rebuilding of previously depleted Atlantic bluefin stocks thanks to tighter quotas.
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New technologies like satellite tagging that improves tracking of bluefin migrations and populations.
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Increased farming of bluefin tuna in controlled aquaculture operations, reducing pressure on wild fish.
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Greater awareness of overfishing problems among governments, fishery management bodies and consumers.
However, significant challenges remain. Continued overfishing driven by high sushi demand threatens to undermine any rebuilding efforts. The effects of climate change on ocean ecosystems present further risks.
International cooperation on managing bluefin tuna as a shared, migratory species across national boundaries remains inefficient. Political will and urgent actions are still required to enact sustainable limits on bluefin catches globally.
If steep reductions in bluefin fishing are not adopted and enforced worldwide, population declines may continue or even accelerate in the coming years.
Supporting a Sustainable Future for Bluefin
A sustainable future for bluefin tuna must balance economic needs of fisheries with science-based conservation. Some ways to support that vision include:
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Choosing to eat only verifiably sustainable bluefin from well-managed fisheries, or avoiding bluefin products altogether.
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Supporting stricter catch limits and enforcement, plus fishing gear innovations that reduce bycatch.
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Backing expansion of marine protected areas globally to protect bluefin habitats.
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Funding more robust population surveys and tagging studies of all three bluefin species.
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Encouraging aquaculture practices that relieve pressure on wild stocks.
With a concerted effort from governments, fishery bodies, scientists, and consumers, we can work to rebuild bluefin populations to healthy levels. If managed sustainably, these magnificent ocean predators can continue thrilling us with their presence in our seas for decades to come.
Quick Facts Region Pacific Islands, West Coast
School of bluefin tuna. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Although Pacific-wide populations are well below target levels, U. S. Pacific bluefin tuna caught in the wild is a good choice for seafood because it is managed in a way that doesn’t harm the environment by limiting U.S. harvesting. S. fishermen.
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate promotes population growth.
Not subject to overfishing.
Fishing gear used to catch bluefin tuna rarely contacts the seafloor so habitat impacts are minimal.
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
- The 2022 stock assessment says that the Pacific bluefin tuna has been overfished, but it is not at risk of being overfished. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
- In 2013, NOAA Fisheries was the first to say that the Pacific bluefin tuna stock was overfished. The stock is still overfished, but the size of the stock has grown a lot, according to the 2022 report by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific Ocean.
- The backs of Pacific bluefin tuna are black or dark blue and have a grayish-green sheen.
- There are silver or gray spots or bands on their bellies.
- From the second dorsal fin to the tail, they have a line of small yellow fins with black edges.
- Pacific bluefin tuna can be told apart from other fish because their pectoral fin tips don’t reach the front of their second dorsal fin.
- Compared to other tuna species, their eyes aren’t very big.
- Pacific bluefin tunas become fully grown when they are about 5 years old. They can live up to 26 years, but most of them only live about 15 years.
- Adults are approximately 1. its length is 4 feet 11 inches and its weight is about 60 kilograms (130 pounds).
- Pacific bluefin tuna can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh up to 9 tons. 8 feet) in length and 450 kilograms (990 pounds).
- Bluefin tunas in the Pacific mostly eat squids and fish like sardines, anchovies, saury, herring, pompanos, mackerel, hake, and other tunas. Red crabs and krill are sometimes eaten as well.
| Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Chordata | Class | Actinopterygii | Order | Scombriformes | Family | Scombridae | Genus | Thunnus | Species | orientalis |
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Is Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sustainable?
Although Pacific-wide populations are well below target levels, U. S. Pacific bluefin tuna caught in the wild is a good choice for seafood because it is managed in a way that doesn’t harm the environment by limiting U.S. harvesting. S. fishermen.
Year-round, but most Pacific bluefin tuna are caught between May and October, and are sold to local restaurants.
U.S. wild-caught along the West Coast, primarily from California.
Bluefin has a distinctive flavor. With its high fat content, it is especially prized for sushi and sashimi. Cooking is generally not advised as it produces a strong fish taste and odor.
Bluefin tuna flesh is the darkest and fattiest of any tuna. A higher fat content in bluefin tuna is equated with a higher-quality product. The flesh has the firmness and appearance of beef steaks.
Deep red when uncooked. When cooked, the meat is an off-white or ivory color.
Bluefin tuna is a very good source of protein, thiamin, selenium, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Meet the bluefin tuna, the toughest fish in the sea – Grantly Galland and Raiana McKinney
FAQ
How rare is blue fin tuna?
How old is a 500 pound bluefin tuna?
How many bluefin tuna were caught in 2022?
How many bluefin tunas are left?
How many species of bluefin tuna are there?
There are three species of bluefin tuna: Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern. The Atlantic bluefin is the largest and most endangered of the three. Most catches of Atlantic bluefin tuna are taken from the Mediterranean Sea, which is the most important bluefin tuna fishery in the world. For tuna fishing, data is more important now than ever.
How much is Pacific bluefin tuna worth?
In the US, Pacific bluefin tuna were valued at $2.3 million in 2022, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database, for 800,000 pounds of caught tuna.
Is Pacific bluefin tuna currently overfished?
According to the 2022 stock assessment, Pacific bluefin tuna is currently overfished. However, it is not subject to overfishing. For more information, please refer to Stock SMART. NOAA Fisheries first determined the Pacific bluefin tuna stock to be overfished in 2013.
Is the bluefin tuna an endangered species?
Bluefin tuna, including the endangered Southern bluefin and near-threatened Pacific bluefin, make up less than 1% of the global catch. The bluefin tuna population is endangered. As the methods of catching tuna have advanced over the years, the conservation and management of tuna have not evolved as quickly.