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Global Tuna Fisheries: Trends, Status and Management.

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Since the onset of large-scale commercial exploitation in the 1950s, global tuna catches have steadily risen, reaching 1 million tonnes in the mid-1960s, 2 million tonnes in the mid-1980s, 3 million tonnes in 1990, 4 million tonnes in the late 1990s, 5 million tonnes in 2014, and finally topping out at 5.4 million tonnes in 2019. The global tuna catch has been stable at around 5 million tonnes since then. In 2023, the latest available data, the global tuna catch was approximately 5.2 million tonnes. The majority of tuna catches are attributed to skipjack tuna (57 percent), followed by yellowfin tuna (31 percent), bigeye tuna (7 percent), albacore tuna (4 percent), and three species of bluefin tuna (1 percent). In terms of fishing methods, purse seining accounts for 66 percent of global tuna catches, while longlines (9 percent), pole-and-line (7 percent), gillnets (4 percent) and other miscellaneous gea...
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Small islands, big opportunities.

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The island nations of the central Pacific don't have much land. But they have an awful lot of ocean - and a precious resource within it. Read the full story!
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Location: New Zealand
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Rays of hope for sustainable tuna.

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In the past, rising global demand for tuna put growing pressure on fisheries. In regions where management systems were fragmented or insufficient, this led to overfishing of some tuna stocks. However, since the United Nations General Assembly designated May 2nd as World Tuna Day nine years ago to highlight the importance of responsible tuna fishing , significant progress has been made: In 2017, only 75% of the tuna catch came from healthy stocks free of overfishing; Today, it is estimated that 99% of commercial tuna catches come from stocks that are scientifically assessed to be biologically sustainable. For instance, Atlantic Bluefin tuna, once absent, are now common again in southern England and Ireland. This recovery is thanks to coordinated efforts by governments through the five tuna regional fisheries management organizations . Their success stems from adopting management procedures. These are rules agreed upon by scientists, managers, and fishers before fishing begins. It i...
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Location: 405 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017, USA
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Out of the 23 tuna stocks, only two stocks are still subject to overfishing according to the latest numbers.

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The FAO's  Common Oceans Tuna project aims to ensure that all major tuna stocks are fished at sustainable levels by 2027 , supporting more responsible tuna fisheries and biodiversity conservation . The project has developed a new e-learning course series : Management procedures for sustainable tuna fisheries and stepped up training to meet growing demand for capacity-building, as adoption of management procedures expands worldwide. It also promotes innovative electronic monitoring and traceability systems , alongside more eco friendly fishing practices . The data is encouraging. Out of the 23 tuna stocks, only two stocks are still subject to overfishing according to the latest numbers.
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Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
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Maintain optimism, but also vigilance.

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However, vigilance remains essential . The 2023 UNCLOS Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement (‘the BBNJ’) entered into force in January 2026, giving impetus to global efforts to protect marine biodiversity in international waters. Still, challenges persist. Climate change affects tuna reproduction and pushes them farther out to sea, raising costs and threatening coastal livelihoods in often poor coastal communities. Specific reproductive details vary by species, such as the southern bluefin tuna which may spawn on average every 1.1 days, or the yellowfin tuna which often shows a peak spawning period between September and December in the tropical Western and Central Pacific The reproductive dynamics of the southern blue- fin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) in the Atlantic Ocean The reproductive biology of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the pacific Ocean . Scientific knowledge on eastern bluefin tuna reproduction and reproductive areas. The reproductive biology...
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Location: 405 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017, USA
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Three things you can do this World Tuna Day...

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Canned tuna has been a great ally in our pantries around the world. Tuna is rich in Omega-3 and it also contains minerals, proteins, and vitamin B12, among other advantages.  From raising awareness to taking action or simply enjoying sustainable tuna , there's plenty you can do to take part this World Tuna Day . Together, we're on a mission to end overfishing - a major global goal enshrined within the UN sustainable development goals . Three things you can do this World Tuna Day... Cook a sustainable tuna recipe Check your cans of tuna Read a tuna fishing story
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Tuna Done Right.

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FORUM : " Tuna Done Right " World Tuna Day 2026 . The MSC's theme for World Tuna Day is Tuna Done Right. Even though World Tuna Day is a global day to protect tuna, there's plenty that can be done locally to support sustainable tuna. Tuna is one of the most widely consumed seafoods in Australia and New Zealand. Choosing sustainably sourced options like those with the MSC blue fish tick is a simple way to support healthy oceans. In Australia and New Zealand, we can enjoy a range of MSC certified sustainable tuna from Skipjack, Albacore and Yellowfin. Over half of the world's skipjack tuna is caught in the Western Central Pacific Ocean and tuna is also caught in Australian and New Zealand waters. We need to conserve our wonderful tuna resources for future generations. Get involved in the conversation with #WorldTunaDay and #BigBlueFuture for the chance to have your post shared to our networks. GET INVOLVED! Cook a sustainable tuna recipe : Celebrate with a dish that...
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