World Tuna Day

  About 11 percent of the world’s tuna production comes from Atlantic Ocean (AO) stocks –FAO Major Fishing Areas 21, 27, 31, 34, 41 and 47. Catches of skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, albacore tuna and bluefin tuna in 2023 totaled 544 700 tonnes, a 9 percent decrease from 2022 levels. The total catch has generally declined since the mid-1990s, followed by an upward trend since 2009 (FIGURE E.1.13). The catch of tropical tunas (bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna and skipjack) in the AO initially steadily increased by approximately 100 000 tonnes per decade, reaching 100 000 tonnes in 1963, 200 000 tonnes in 1971, and 300 000 tonnes in 1980. It then quickly rose to 0.4 million tonnes by 1982, before reaching 500 000 tonnes in 1994. Total catches declined to 300 000 tonnes in 2006 but then began increasing again, reaching a historical high of 520 000 tonnes in 2018. Since then, catches h...

  About 51  percent of the world’s production of tuna is from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) – FAO Major Fishing Areas 61, 71 and 81. Provisional catches of skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna in 2023 were 2 490 300 tonnes, a 2 percent decrease from 2022; and provisional catches of North Pacific albacore tuna, South Pacific albacore tuna and Pacific bluefin tuna were 120 000 tonnes, a 25 percent decrease from 2022. Note that despite catches of North Pacific albacore tuna, South Pacific albacore tuna and Pacific bluefin tuna occurring throughout the entire Pacific Ocean (i.e. in both the IATTC and WCPFC areas), they are reported under this section dealing with the WCPFC. The catch of tropical tunas in the WCPO steadily and continuously increased by around half a million tonnes per decade since the 1960s, reaching 1 million tonnes in 1984, 1.5 million tonnes in 1994, and 2 million tonnes in 2005, before peaking...

  Approximately 13 percent of the world’s tuna production comes from the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO )–FAO Major Fishing Areas 67, 77 and 87. In 2023, catches of skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna totaled around 761 800 tonnes, reflecting a 15 percent increase from 2022. The catch of tropical tunas in the EPO steadily increased since 1990s, reaching a record high of 800 000 tonnes in 2003. Total catches then declined until 2007 but have again been rising since, reaching the second-highest level in the entire time series in 2023 (FIGURE E.1.7). Catches of Pacific albacore tuna and Pacific bluefin tuna also occur in the EPO; however, these stocks are covered in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean section, as they are distributed there too. Average annual tropical tuna catches for the last five-year period (2019–2023) totalled 683 100 tonnes. During this recent period, skipjack tuna accounted for 49 percent of the catches by weight, follow...

  ​In "Beyond the Catch: The Untold Story of Kiwi Fishers," explores the challenges and triumphs of New Zealand's fishing community. This in-depth feature sheds light on the personal stories of fishers, their connection to the sea, and the evolving dynamics of the fishing industry in New Zealand.​ Read the full story!

Tuna is one of the world’s most popular fish – whether in sushi, sandwiches or salads – and it plays a big role in feeding people and supporting ocean health. That’s why World Tuna Day is so important: it’s a chance to recognise how vital tuna is and why choosing sustainably caught tuna matters. Half of the world’s wild tuna catch now comes from fisheries that meet the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) sustainability standard. That means they’re fishing in a way that protects tuna populations, minimises harm to ocean habitats, and helps ensure there’s enough tuna for future generations. The progress we’re seeing today is thanks to over 180 tuna fisheries around the world that are committed to sustainable practices. But that work needs to continue, and World Tuna Day is a great reminder that our everyday choices – like checking for the blue MSC label – really do count. Tuna is being protected through global efforts to ensure it’s fished sustainably: 54% of the global tuna catch is now...

The FAO Common Oceans Tuna Project together with project partner ICCAT is convening a joint tuna-RFMO workshop focused on Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE). This workshop brings together scientists, managers, and stakeholders from each of the five tuna RFMOs to: Share lessons learned and best practices for MSE development from across the RFMOs. Consider opportunities for collaboration as well as ways to harmonize and streamline MSE development processes across the tuna RFMOs. The Common Oceans Program is a global partnership funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), implemented by FAO. The Tuna Project seeks to achieve responsible, efficient, and sustainable. Watch the livestream  Management Strategy Evaluation Workshop (Tuna project)- Day 3

The FAO Common Oceans Tuna Project together with project partner ICCAT is convening a joint tuna-RFMO workshop focused on Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE). This workshop brings together scientists, managers, and stakeholders from each of the five tuna RFMOs to: Share lessons learned and best practices for MSE development from across the RFMOs. Consider opportunities for collaboration as well as ways to harmonize and streamline MSE development processes across the tuna RFMOs. The Common Oceans Program is a global partnership funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), implemented by FAO. The Tuna Project seeks to achieve responsible, efficient, and sustainable. Watch the livestream  Management Strategy Evaluation Workshop (Tuna project)- Day 2