asked-reg=
[x]

The Good Fish Guide is compiled by the Marine Conservation Society, the UK charity protecting our seas, shores and wildlife.

MCS would like to keep you updated with the latest sustainable seafood advice, please let us know how you’d like us to keep in touch.

We would you like to keep you informed of MCS's other campaigns, appeals and conservation work. If you do not wish to receive information in the following ways please UNtick the relevant boxes:

Register with GFG later...
Read our data protection policy
Registered Charity England and Wales No. 1004005 | Scotland No. SC037480
[x]

view larger image

Common name - Bigeye tuna
Scientific name - Thunnus obesus
Average rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Visit Fishonline for the full range of options available for this species.
Consumer Information
Tuna belong to the Scombrid family and are related to mackerel. They are large, oceanic fish and are seasonally migratory, some making trans-Atlantic journeys. Tuna is highly sought after and forms the basis of many world-wide fisheries. World catches have doubled in the last decade. All 7 commercially fished species are under pressure and 5 are listed by the IUCN (World Conservation Union) as threatened species: Bigeye are slower growing than either Skipjack or Yellowfin and Pacific Bigeye are listed as Endangered; Northern Bluefin is listed as Critically Endangered in the Western Atlantic and Endangered in the Eastern Atlantic; Southern Bluefin are listed as Critically Endangered; Pacific Bluefin are also a large species with low resilience to fishing; Skipjack and Yellowfin, although relatively resilient to fishing are overfished in many areas or their status has not been properly assessed. Increase the sustainability of the Skipjack or Yellowfin tuna you source by choosing line or troll-caught and ‘dolphin-friendly' tuna. The troll/pole and line Pacific Albacore tuna fishery is certified to the MSC standard as a well-managed and sustainable fishery. Tuna farming or ranching of Southern and Northern Bluefin relies on capture of juveniles from the wild, which are then transferred to sea cages to grow. Avoid eating.
Summary
Bigeye tuna grows more slowly and has larger growth potential than skipjack and yellowfin and is thus more vulnerable to overfishing. Of the bigeye tuna fisheries, only the Eastern Pacific ocean stock is currently healthy and is the best choice for sourcing bigeye. The Atlantic and Indian ocean stocks are poorly managed and are fully fished to overfished, whereas the Western Pacific stock is in an overfished state, is still being overfished and should be avoided. The most sustainable method for capturing bigeye tuna is troll or non FAD associated purse seine. Longlines for the species tend to be deeper set and have fewer associated bycatch issues than pelagic and surface longlines; however bycatch from deeper water has a lower chance of survival if thrown back. Fish aggregation device (FAD) associated purse seine fisheries have significant impacts on threatened, endangered and protected species such as marine turtles, sharks and seabirds and should always be avoided (See fishing methods for details).
Alternatives
(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)
Visit Fishonline, the website for the seafood industry, for more detailed information about this species.