Global Tuna Fishing

Fact Sheet June 21, 2012 Read time:

Projects: Conservation Science

Tuna species are found throughout the world's oceans. Atlantic, Pacific, and southern bluefin tuna are prized for the sushi and sashimi market. Skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tunas are found mainly in the tropics, while albacore, like bluefin, are also found in temperate waters. These species are used for a mixture of canned and fresh products. Explore our graphics to learn more about how tuna are fished worldwide.

Purse-Seine Fishing
Longline Fishing
Pole-and-Line Fishing

Just how important is global tuna fishing? View our graphic of worldwide canned tuna consumption.

Purse-Seine Fishing

Large nets encircle schools of fish, using fish aggregating devices (FADs) to attract them. These nets are then closed - like a drawstring purse - to capture the fish.

Longline Fishing

Lines with baited hooks are strung at evenly spaced intervals along a central fishing line, which can be up to 100 km in length. Longlines are set near the surface to catch tuna.

Pole-and-Line

A hooked line is attached to a pole. Some are hand operated but mechanized systems are also used to catch tuna. This highly selective gear takes fish one at a time, with little bycatch.