Bluefin Tuna: Overview
Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is an emblematic species that has been driven toward extinction by overfishing (mainly due to the industrial purse seine fishery and their capture for fattening in cages) and international trade.
The bluefin tuna is a predator and, as such, is in the highest positions in the food chain, playing an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the marine environment. Furthermore, because of its low reproduction rate and late maturity, at 3-5 years, this animal is very vulnerable to overfishing.
Scientists from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have concluded that Atlantic bluefin tuna face an unprecedented decline to less than 15 percent of its virgin spawning stock biomass (unfished). This species is clearly at risk of extinction.
