Bluefin Tuna
Facts
-
EN
Status
Endangered
-
b
Scientific Name
Thunnus Thynnus
-
d
Weight
1500 pounds
-
C
Length
6 - 10 feet
-
e
Habitats
Oceans
Bluefin are the largest tunas and can live up to 40 years. They migrate across all oceans and can dive deeper than 3,000 feet. Bluefin tuna are made for speed: built like torpedoes, have retractable fins and their eyes are set flush to their body. They are tremendous predators from the moment they hatch, seeking out schools of fish like herring, mackerel, and even eels. They hunt by sight and have the sharpest vision of any bony fish. There are three species of bluefin: Atlantic (the largest and most endangered), Pacific, and Southern. Most catches of the Atlantic bluefin tuna are taken from the Mediterranean Sea, which is the most important bluefin tuna fishery in the world.
- Places
- Habitats
Oceans under major threat from illegal fishing
A new WWF report finds more than 85% of global fish stocks in our oceans are at significant risk of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Species affected by illegal fishing varies across the globe – from Bluefin tuna to mackerels, from snow crabs to shrimp, and hundreds of other species.

Why They Matter
Threats
-
Extinction Risk Endangered
-
EX
Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
-
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population
-
CR
Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild
-
EN
Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
-
VU
Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
-
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
-
LC
Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened
-
EX

Lack of knowledge about the biology and migratory behavior of Atlantic bluefin has hindered successful fishery management plans.
Overfishing
Bluefin tuna populations have declined severely from overfishing and illegal fishing over the past few decades –not just Atlantic bluefin tuna, but also Pacific bluefin tuna and Southern bluefin tuna. Population declines have been largely driven by the demand for this fish in high end sushi markets.
Pirate Fishing
Illegal fishing of Atlantic bluefin is a big problem and the fishery has been plagued by lack of enforcement and control.
What WWF Is Doing

Stopping Overfishing
In the Mediterranean, WWF has been working for over 10 years to protect Atlantic bluefin tuna. We work to stop overfishing and ensure recovery of the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock. WWF has been very influential in most of the decisions made by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the body that regulates the fisheries.
Tuna Tagging
Since 2008, WWF has been tagging Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea to learn more about the species. The data collected so far has helped us learn more about their migratory behaviors and enabled us to advise fisheries managers on how best to protect the species. With more field tagging work, WWF and its partners can continue to fill the gaps on the bluefin’s biology and help give this emblematic fish a chance at survival for the long term.
Projects
-
Improving management in eastern Pacific tuna fisheries
Management strategy evaluation (MSE) is a process that allows stakeholders to assess how effective different management strategies can be. WWF convened workshops on MSE in five tuna fishing nations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Ecuador, Panama, the United States, Mexico, and Colombia.
How You Can Help
Fight Against Plastic Pollution
Eight million metric tons of plastic are leaking into our oceans every year. Ask our government leaders to help stop plastics from leaking into our oceans.
Start your monthly gift
Become a WWF monthly member and help conserve our world's oceans as well as wildlife and wild places around the world.
Related Species
-
Albacore Tuna
-
Bigeye Tuna
-
Yellowfin Tuna
-
Skipjack Tuna
-
Sea Turtle
-
Vaquita
-
Whale Shark
-
Dugong
-
Humphead Wrasse
-
Pacific Salmon
-
Dolphins and Porpoises
-
Whale
-
Seals
-
Sea Lions
-
Marine Iguana
-
Tuna
-
Sei Whale
-
Hawksbill Turtle
-
Great White Shark
-
Loggerhead Turtle
-
Leatherback Turtle
-
Green Turtle
-
Olive Ridley Turtle
-
North Atlantic Right Whale
-
Blue Whale
-
Fin Whale
-
Bowhead Whale
-
Gray Whale
-
Hector's Dolphin
-
Galápagos Penguin
-
Shark
-
Polar Bear
-
Narwhal
-
Beluga
-
Giant Tortoise