|
 |
 |
|
Tuna: Bigeye
Worldwide, except US Atlantic
Troll/Pole
See
Report in PDF |
 Credit/ Wikimedia Commons - Public domain
|
| SPECIES |
Tuna: Bigeye |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME |
Thunnus obesus |
| MARKET NAMES |
Ahi, Po’onui |
| SUSHI NAMES |
Maguro |
| DESCRIPTION |
Bigeye matures at an early age, has a moderate lifespan, is highly fecund, and is widely distributed, making it inherently resilient to fishing pressure. Bigeye caught with troll or pole-and-line gear is the most sustainable option. Longlines, the most common catch method for bigeye tuna, result in large bycatch, including sea turtles, sharks and seabirds. Since there are no international laws to reduce bycatch, these longline fleets are contributing heavily to the long-term decline of some of these species. Most of the world’s bigeye populations have been depleted due to longline fisheries. Management of bigeye tuna is complex, and varies by ocean basin. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing remains problematic worldwide.
|
Sustainability
Profile
|
| Concern |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
Critical |
| Inherent vulnerability |
x |
|
|
|
| Status of stocks |
|
|
x |
|
| Nature of by-catch |
x |
|
|
|
| Habitat effects |
x |
|
|
|
| Management effectiveness |
|
x |
|
|
|
| INHERENT VULNERABILITY |
Bigeye matures at an early age, has a moderate lifespan, is highly fecund, and is widely distributed, making it inherently resilient to fishing pressure.
|
| STATUS OF STOCKS |
For all regions there is a moderate degree of stock status uncertainty. Overfishing is occurring or likely occurring in all fisheries with the exception those in the Atlantic. Declining long – and short-term population trends are characteristic of all stocks. Overall stock status is considered poor (including Eastern Pacific, Western and Central Pacific and Indian Ocean stocks representing 87% of catch) while stocks in the Atlantic (representing 17% of catch) are rebuilding.
|
| NATURE OF BY-CATCH |
Troll/pole gears have minimal levels of bycatch.
|
| HABITAT EFFECTS |
Troll/pole gears have negligible habitat effects as they do not come in contact with the sea floor.
|
| MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS |
Management of the tuna fisheries is complex, and while there are concerns with the management of some gear types (e.g., bycatch in the longline fishery), these same concerns may be minimal for other gear types (e.g., bycatch in the troll fishery). In the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, there are complete and robust stock assessments, and adequate scientific monitoring. Management measures have not maintained stock abundance in any ocean basin.
|
| IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK |
What kind of tuna is this?
Where is it caught?
How was it caught?
|
HEALTH RISKS
View consumption advisories |
Consumption advisory due to mercury. + Adults and children should eat no more than 4 meals per month + Contaminant levels are unknown
|
MSC CERTIFIED
|
No.
|
|
|
|
