New stock assessment reveals largest recorded biomass since assessments began.
The recovery of Pacific bluefin tuna has surpassed international rebuilding targets a decade ahead of schedule, marking a significant success in fisheries management. This achievement was made possible by coordinated efforts among international organizations, including NOAA Fisheries, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), which implemented conservation measures based on scientific data provided by the International Scientific Committee (ISC).
The ISC’s latest stock assessment confirmed that the tuna stock reached its second rebuilding target in 2021, with further population growth expected if current measures persist. U.S. fishers harvested a smaller share of the tuna, representing about 10% of the total catch in 2022. Most of the tuna are caught by Japanese and Mexican vessels, and the species migrates thousands of miles across the Pacific.
Overfishing had reduced the bluefin population to a historic low by 2012, but since then, international cooperation has reversed the trend. The population is now at 23.2% of its potential unfished biomass, surpassing sustainable yield levels. This rapid recovery could lead to increased harvests in the future. The focus now shifts to developing a long-term harvest strategy for 2025 and beyond, with continued international collaboration to ensure sustainable fishing practices.