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.

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.

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.

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.

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.