97% of global tuna catches are taken from sustainable stocks

According to the latest update on the state of tuna stocks by the different Regional Fisheries Organisations, it is confirmed that 97% of the world tuna catches are made on healthy stocks, i.e. not overfished and not subject to overfishing.

Bermeo, 29 January. In 2024, the different tuna Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs: ICCAT, IOTC, IATTC, WCPFC and CCSBT) have analysed the current situation of tuna fisheries in the world. This analysis concludes that 97% of the world’s tuna catches are taken from healthy stocks, i.e. not overfished and not subject to overfishing.

In addition to reviewing indicators for the different tuna stocks, in 2024 the RFOs carried out a quantitative assessment of two albacore stocks (Mediterranean and South Pacific), two yellowfin tuna stocks (Atlantic and Indian), bigeye and skipjack tuna in the Eastern Pacific and bluefin tuna in the Pacific, thus confirming the overall good state of the different resources under the competence of these multilateral organisations.

There are only 2 stocks that are overfished and continue to be fished at unsustainable levels, namely albacore tuna in the Mediterranean and bigeye tuna in the Indian Ocean. In both cases, the organisations responsible for their management are already taking action.

These data demonstrate the great work being done by these multilateral organisations for the future of tuna fisheries, which has once again been of great significance during 2024, contributing to the increasingly sustainable management of the world’s tunas. The establishment of sustainable resource management measures are necessary for optimistic and substantially improved results in the evolution of the status of tuna stocks worldwide.

From Bermeo Tuna World Capital (BTWC)  we celebrate the collective effort made by the different parties involved in this sustainable management of the most important fishing resource in the world, their involvement and action, not just awareness. Because at BTWC we believe that there is a way to do business in a sustainable way at a holistic level, from an environmental, economic and social perspective. Caring for the oceans, marine species and ecosystems, and the people and communities that work and live from this sector.

This news is corroboration of this belief. Doing things well pays off, even if unfortunately, we find the other side of the coin in the markets. That of trade in products sourced and harvested through completely illegal and unsustainable practices.

About global tuna catches

Global catches of all these tuna stocks in 2023 amounted to 5.2 million tonnes, distributed 66% in the Pacific (51% in the West, WCPFC and 15% in the East, IATTC), 24% in the Indian (IOTC) and 11% in the Atlantic (ICCAT). By species, 92% correspond to tropical tunas and 8% to temperate tunas: 57% skipjack, 31% yellowfin, 4% bigeye, 4% albacore and 4% bluefin tuna.

The concept of world tunas refers to the so-called temperate tunas, albacore and bluefin tuna, and the tropical tunas, skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna. There are a total of 22 stocks of 7 different species.

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