In the salad, in thepasta, in sushi, on the grill, thetuna fishit is one of the favorite and most versatile fish present on Italian and world tables. A large consumption that can easily translate into uncontrolled and excessive fishing which can endanger the survival of this fundamental resource.
To remember the need for responsible, coordinated and efficient management of fisheriestuna fish, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) releases the version todayItalian the "Guide to Sustainable Tuna 2021”, which provides readers with useful information for a better understanding of global fishing for this very precious fishfish.
-
Italians are big consumers oftuna fish
With 129,187 tons oftuna fishimported in 2018 (8% of the total), Italy ranks second among the largest importers in the world, immediately after the United States. An Italian consumes on average around 3kg oftuna fishper year.
-
Skipjack tuna is the best-selling species in the world, but Italians prefer ittuna fishyellow fin
Of the five main species oftuna fishon the market (tuna fishalbacore,tuna fishobese,tuna fishredfin, skipjack tuna andtuna fishyellow fin), theskipjack tunait is the most fished and sold in the world, and is the most common ingredient oftuna fishin oil in Europe, although in Italy they prefer insteadtuna fishyellow fin.
50% of skipjack tuna stocks are found in the central southwestern Pacific Ocean, where PNA, skipjack tuna fisheries andtuna fishyellow fin, has introduced measures to limit catches oftuna fish, reduction of by-catch (including endangered, threatened and protected species, ETP) and a comprehensive monitoring, control and surveillance system of its fisheries which has enabled it to pass the assessment of compliance with the MSC Standard for Sustainable Fisheries .
-
A tuna fishfor each dish
The five main species oftuna fish (skipjack, albacore, red, bigeye and yellowfin tuna) have different qualities that lend themselves to different uses. The delicate taste of the fish is perfect for a fillettuna fishyellow fin. For sashimi and sushi the ideal ismeatraw and fatty oftuna fishobese or red. Albacore is perfect for salads, while the small size of skipjack tuna makes it ideal for canning. To discover delicious recipes with the flavor of sustainability, click here: Sustainable Recipes | Marine Stewardship Council (msc.org)
-
5.8 million tons oftuna fishcaptured in 2019
The United Nations estimates that nearly 5.7 million tons oftuna fishwere caught in 2019. A significant quantity, which must be fished sustainably to maintain the population oftuna fishat healthy levels.
Most of the 23 populations oftuna fishthroughout the world maintains a good level of health. A United Nations report reports that in five years the number of major populations oftuna fishoverfished have fallen from thirteen to five: to further reduce this number, careful, long-term management is required.
-
50% oftuna fishcaught is involved in the MSC program for sustainable fishing
Of the 5.7 million tons oftuna fishcaught, 28.9% comes from an MSC certified fishery and a fifth (20.4%) is currently being assessed to the MSC Standard. Another fifth of the global catch oftuna fishcomes from fisheries that are making the improvements necessary to obtain certification (19.54% in a fisheries improvement project). To obtain MSC certification, a fishery fromtuna fishit must leave enough specimens in the sea for the population to reproduce, it must respect the marine ecosystem and be managed to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The MSC certification program is based on scientific evidence and is recognized by the United Nations as “the only scientific measurement tool for fisheries certification and labeling program that meets the best practice requirements established by FAO”. To be sure that thetuna fishthat you purchase has been fished according to MSC sustainability criteria, look for the blue mark on the packaging.
Bonus: And did you know that…?
- Skipjack tuna is the species oftuna fishsmaller, which can reach a length of about 1 meter, half the length of thetuna fishred which can instead reach two meters
- Predators at the top of the food chain, itunathey feed on small and medium-sized fish, the abundance of which is essential to allow thetuna fishto thrive: a delicate balance that must be protected by taking care of the entire ocean ecosystem.
- The tropical skipjack tuna can reproduce from about 2 years old and an adult female can spawn up to 2 millioneggsper day and at any time of the year. Once fertilized, theeggsthey hatch within a day, floating on ocean currents as zooplankton (NOAA). THEtunain colder waters they have a longer life cycle; for example, itunaalbacore in the Indian Ocean, they usually have to reach 5-6 years of age before breeding, which happens every 2.2 days in the period from November to January, when females release up to 2.6 millioneggs. (PlosOne)
- The tuna fishit is an important global resource, accounting for more than 8% of global fish trade according to United Nations data). By 2027, thetuna fishcanned could be valued at up to $11.89 billion (Bloomberg News).
