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Pacific Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus orientalis

Illustration of a Pacific Bluefin Tuna

Also Known As

  • Northern bluefin tuna
  • Tuna
  • Bluefin tuna

Although Pacific-wide populations are well below target levels, U.S. wild-caught Pacific bluefin tuna is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed under rebuilding measures that limit harvest by U.S. fishermen.

A close-up of a Pacific Bluefin Tuna.School of bluefin tuna.A school of bluefin tunaTuna sushi

Population

Significantly below target population levels. Rebuilding measures are in place for U.S. fishermen.

Fishing Rate

Reduced to end overfishing.

Habitat Impacts

Fishing gear used to catch bluefin tuna rarely contacts the seafloor so habitat impacts are minimal.

Bycatch

Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.

  • Availability

    Year-round, but most Pacific bluefin tuna are caught between May and October, and are sold to local restaurants.

  • Source

    U.S. wild-caught along the West Coast, primarily from California.

  • Taste

    Bluefin has a distinctive flavor. With its high fat content, it is especially prized for sushi and sashimi. Cooking is generally not advised as it produces a strong fish taste and odor.

  • Texture

    Bluefin tuna flesh is the darkest and fattiest of any tuna. A higher fat content in bluefin tuna is equated with a higher-quality product. The flesh has the firmness and appearance of beef steaks.

  • Color

    Deep red when uncooked. When cooked, the meat is an off-white or ivory color.

  • Health Benefits

    Bluefin tuna is a very good source of protein, thiamin, selenium, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids.

The U.S. Fishery

Fishery Management

Harvest

  • Commercial fishery:
    • The average annual bluefin landings by U.S. commercial vessels fishing in the eastern Pacific Ocean represent only 2 percent of the average annual landings from all fleets fishing there.
    • U.S.-caught Pacific bluefin tuna are commonly landed in California by fishermen who sell to local restaurants.
    • In 2019, U.S. commercial landings of Pacific bluefin tuna totaled approximately 603,000 pounds and were valued at more than $730,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database. 
  • Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
    • Purse seine, hook-and-line, and harpoon gear are used to catch Pacific bluefin tuna.
    • Fishing gear used to catch bluefin tuna rarely contacts the seafloor so habitat impacts are minimal.
    • These fishing methods are fairly selective and allow for the live release of unintentionally caught species.
  • Recreational fishery:
    • Pacific bluefin tuna are a highly valued species by recreational anglers.
    • West Coast recreational fishing grounds primarily include offshore waters of southern California and northern Baja, and have historically included waters as far north as Monterey Bay.
    • Commercial passenger fishing vessels and private boaters target Pacific bluefin tuna with recreational fishing gear using live bait (sardines or anchovy), casting jigs, and trolling jigs.

The Science

Population Status

  • According to the 2020 stock assessment, Pacific bluefin tuna are overfished and subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
  • NOAA Fisheries first determined the Pacific bluefin tuna stock to be overfished in 2013. The 2020 assessment completed by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific Ocean found the stock is still overfished.

Location

  • Most of the U.S. catch of Pacific bluefin tuna is within about 100 nautical miles of the California coast. 

Habitat

  • Bluefin tuna are highly migratory and travel long distances throughout the Pacific Ocean.
  • They are found mostly in temperate ocean waters but also in the tropics and cooler coastal regions.
  • Of the tunas, Pacific bluefin tuna have the largest geographic range.
  • Tagging studies have revealed that some bluefin spend their entire lives in the Western Pacific Ocean, while others migrate to the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The trans-Pacific journey can take as little as 55 days.

Physical Description

  • Pacific bluefin tuna have black or dark blue dorsal sides, with a grayish-green iridescence.
  • Their bellies are dotted with silver or gray spots or bands.
  • They have a series of small yellow fins, edged in black, running from the second dorsal fin to the tail.
  • A distinguishing characteristic of Pacific bluefin tuna is that the tips of the pectoral fins do not reach the front of the second dorsal fin.
  • They have relatively small eyes compared to other species of tuna.

Biology

  • Pacific bluefin tunas reach maturity at approximately 5 years of age and can live up to 26 years, although the average lifespan is about 15 years.
  • Adults are approximately 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) long and weigh about 60 kilograms (130 pounds).
  • The maximum reported length and weight for Pacific bluefin tuna is 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length and 450 kilograms (990 pounds).
  • Pacific bluefin tunas are predatory and mainly eat squids and fish, such as sardines and anchovies, saury, herring, pompanos, mackerel, hake, other tunas, and occasionally red crabs and krill. 

Last updated: 11/19/2020