SPOTLIGHT
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Genus: Thunnus
Species: thynnus
Range:
Atlantic ocean - From Labrador to New England
Brazil - Including area of Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
Pacific Ocean - Shelikof Strait, Alaska to Peru
Habitat: Open ocean surface. Young tunas tend to be in warm waters. Adults are more prevalent in colder waters.
Size: Up to 10 feet (3 m.). Can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds, but most caught today do not even come close to that weight. The bluefins are generally immature and weigh no more than 1,000 pounds - usually less.
Population: Bluefin tuna found in the Pacific Ocean are not as depleted as bluefins in the Atlantic Ocean. However, those of the Pacific are beginning to feel the pressures of poor management and overfishing. No one is sure about the Atlantic Ocean bluefins. It seems that the breeding population may be down about 80% since 1970 and the catch is only 10% of what is was ten years ago. This species is OVERFISHED to DEPLETED due to poor management and relentless overfishing (by sports fishermen too). Even nature takes its toll on the population. Only one in 40 million bluefins will survive. Most die young as food for other fish or as bycatch in nets meant for other species.


          Bluefin are large, stream-lined predators capable of achieving speeds of up to 50 mph. This makes them one of the 7 fastest swimmers in the ocean - even faster than dolphins. Researchers from the New England Aquarium have observed socialization behavior and playing among them. In fact, they have even been seen cooperating with dolphins when feeding on large schools of smaller fish.

The size and fighting power of the bluefin tuna have made it exceedingly popular among sportfishermen. However, the bluefin's appeal in the sushi market may prove it's ultimate undoing.

          The bluefin is the most valuable fish in the ocean. Almost all of the current catch gets shipped to Japan for sushi. Thirty years ago this species was sold for as little as a nickel per pound. Today, a single bluefin is often worth between $10,000 to $20,000 (the highest price on record ever paid for a bluefin is $80,000). The demand for bluefin in Japan is high and its consumption is now a luxury. A single serving of bluefin sushi costs $75.00. According to the National Geopraphic Explorer special "In Pursuit of the Giant Bluefin" "Today, the Japanese consume more of the ocean's wildlife per person than any other nation in the world." Right now in Japan, some dedicated researchers are trying to limit fishing and are working to release baby bluefins (bred in captivity) into the wild. Unfortunately, there are still problems elsewhere. The illegal harvest of bluefins in the Mediterranean is more than the U.S., Canada and Japan combined. According to Sea Web, it is hard to impose restrictions when there is such a high demand and such a high payoff.

Quick Guide to Tuna

Albacore: - Canned "White Tuna"
- OK, but declining in some areas
Yellowfin or Skipjack: - "Chunk Light"
- Yellowfin is declining in some area
- Skipjack populations are still healthy



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