Five of the eight tuna species on the verge of extinction
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which introduced a new Red List of endangered species, most tuna species need urgent protection. Five of the eight species of this fish are now under threat of extinction or are about to gain this status, France Press reports.
Southern blue tuna has almost disappeared, and there is very little hope of restoring its population. As a result, the species is given the status of being on the verge of extinction. Atlantic bluefin tuna, whose southern and northern populations are significantly depleted as a result of uncontrolled catches, is also officially recognized as endangered.
Other tuna species are under severe pressure because of high-tech floating fisheries that plow the international waters in search of rare fish, including catuluff (bogey-eyed), classified as vulnerable, as well as yellowfin and albacore. Both latter species have the status of almost endangered, as well as striped marlin. And makayra, white marlin and blue marlin are classified as vulnerable.
Over the past half century, about 90% of large fish species have been depleted due to commercial fishing. Marine biologists warn: if fishing continues to be carried out at such a scale and pace, the decline in the number of many species will become irreversible. If we talk only about tuna, the most effective way to avoid collapse is to stop catching it until the stocks of this species are restored to normal levels.
