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Bluefin Tuna in Trouble

Tuna are the Olympians of the sea—fast, efficient swimmers able to reach speeds of 50 miles an hour and cross ocean basins. These magnificent animals are also tasty and bluefin tuna belly is prized by sushi eaters around the world for its rich flavor and texture. Sadly, our appetite for this delicacy has led to high prices, overfishing and the near collapse of bluefin populations worldwide.

What You Can Do:


Seafood Watch Recommendations for Bluefin Tuna


SEAFOODRATINGMARKET NAMESWHERE CAUGHTHOW CAUGHT
Bluefin Tuna Avoid: Avoid these products for now. These fish come from sources that are overfished or fished or farmed in ways that harm the environment. Kuromaguro, Horse Mackerel, Atun de aleta azul Worldwide wild-caught


Bluefin tuna are severely overfished in all oceans.

Consumer Note
Common Market Names: Kuromaguro, Atun de aleta azul, Thon rouge, Horse mackerel.

Health Alert
Environmental Defense Fund has issued a health advisory for bluefin tuna due to elevated levels of mercury.

Summary
Avoid bluefin tuna—they're severely overfished and fishing gear used to catch them entangle sea turtles, seabirds and sharks and endanger their populations.

Bluefin tuna provide the world’s most valuable sushi and the high demand for this fish has taken its toll. The Atlantic population has declined by nearly 90% since the 1970s. Bluefin are slow to mature and, unfortunately, many young fishes are caught before they have the chance to reproduce.

Fishermen use a variety of methods to catch bluefin tuna, including longlines and purse seines. Even when they’re “dolphin-safe,” purse seines catch tons of unwanted fishes and other animals, called bycatch. Longlines entangle and kill sea turtles and other marine life.

Bluefin are caught in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and in the Mediterranean Sea. More than 31 nations, including the U.S. and Japan, are trying to manage these highly migratory species.