What is a bluefin tuna?

Bluefin tuna are members of the “Scombridae” family which includes all species of tuna as well as mackerel. There are three species of bluefin tuna – Southern, Pacific and Atlantic, which is the species found around British waters. They are known for their large size, powerful muscles, and their ability to swim at high speeds.

What do bluefin tuna eat?

Bluefin tuna are a long-lived species of fish, and can live for many years in the wild. The average lifespan of a bluefin tuna ranges from 15 to 30 years, although some individuals have been known to live for up to 40 years.

How long do bluefin tuna live?

Bluefin tuna are a long-lived species of fish and can live for many years in the wild. The average lifespan of a bluefin tuna ranges from 15 to 30 years, although some individuals have been known to live for up to 40 years.

How do bluefin tuna reproduce?

Like most other fish, tuna reproduce through spawning where the female releases eggs and the male releases sperm into the water. They are slow to reproduce, taking up to 5 years to reach reproductive age and only spawning once a year.

Are bluefin tuna endangered?

They are heavily exploited across their range, mainly due to demand from the Japanese sashimi markets. As a result, bluefin tuna is considered to be vulnerable or endangered in some parts of the world. In the UK, bluefin tuna nearly disappeared completely by the 1990s after years of overfishing, but an increase in sightings in recent years suggests that conservation efforts have allowed their population to grow again, but their population size is still unknown.

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna are seen around Cornwall's coastline during warmer months but migrate to warmer seas during winter and usually are seen near deeper sections of water and breaching when hunting for smaller fish.

About Bluefin Tuna

Scientific Name: Thunnus thynnus

The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a species of tuna that can be found in the waters around Cornwall, England. These large, predatory fish are known for their sleek, streamlined bodies and their ability to swim at high speeds. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are found in the Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding seas, including the Mediterranean Sea, typically found in deeper waters, but can also be found in shallow coastal areas and near offshore islands. Bluefin tuna are known to migrate long distances and can be found in a variety of habitats, including the open ocean, coastal waters, and estuaries.

Bluefin tuna are opportunistic predators and feed on a variety of prey, including other fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are known for their powerful muscles and are considered to be one of the fastest fish in the ocean.

How to identify this species:

4-10 feet in length
Creating large splashes while breaking the water chasing shoals of fish
Distinctive dark blue stripe along the sides of their bodies

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15-30 years

Average Lifespan

fish

Diet

145,000

Population

Did you know?

Bluefin Tuna could get caught by a speed camera down your local road, they can break speed in excess of 70 km/h (45 mph) and are known as one of the fastest fish in the ocean

How often do you see Bluefin Tuna on a boat trip?

Book a boat trip and you might get lucky to see one of these fantastic creatures in our Cornish waters. although these creatures aren’t common in North Cornwall they can be seen from time to time. Experience our boat trips and keep your eyes open and you might just get lucky.

FAQs about Bluefin Tuna

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Padstow Sealife Safaris give you the chance to get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures. Depending on the time of year that you choose to visit, you’ll have the chance to see a number of different species.

Bluefin Tuna

About Bluefin Tuna

How to identify this species:

15-30 years

fish

145,000

Did you know?

How often do you see Bluefin Tuna on a boat trip?

FAQs about Bluefin Tuna

More of cornwall's amazing sealife...

Seals

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Fish

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