Conservation of Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
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Tuna Research and Conservation
Center – The TRCC is a partnership between Hopkins Marine Station and Monterey
Bay Aquarium. Their mission is to advance the knowledge and understanding of
tunas and other highly migratory fish through research, education, and conservation. The center has the help of scientists, undergraduate and graduate students, aquarists, fishermen, and volunteers for field research. Combining the scholarly aspect of the marine station and the public sector of the aquarium provides a successful example for programs looking to build on science, conservation, and outreach. [23]
The TRCC has done extensive Atlantic bluefin tuna tagging. Fourteen years of tagging and DNA analysis by TRCC scientists has shown that there are two distinct stocks of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. These scientists are now using this data to accurately assess the population structure and stock size of these fish. Tagging has also provided these scientists with information on the bluefin tuna's breeding habitat and foraging hotspots. [24] The following video details some of the work that is done at the TRCC with bluefin tuna. [25]
The TRCC has done extensive Atlantic bluefin tuna tagging. Fourteen years of tagging and DNA analysis by TRCC scientists has shown that there are two distinct stocks of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. These scientists are now using this data to accurately assess the population structure and stock size of these fish. Tagging has also provided these scientists with information on the bluefin tuna's breeding habitat and foraging hotspots. [24] The following video details some of the work that is done at the TRCC with bluefin tuna. [25]
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_Seafood Watch - This program is a sector of the Monterey Bay Aquarium dedicated to raising awareness about sustainable seafood. You can download their pocket guide for sustainable seafood on the West Coast here.
The guide places bluefin tuna in the "Avoid" category, which is defined
as "items that are over-fished or caught or farmed in ways that harm
other marine life or the environment". The guide also warns users to
limit consumption of bluefin tuna due to mercury and other contaminant
concerns. [26]
Bluefin Brigade - This organization was founded by the Center for Biological Diversity in 2010. Their purpose is to reduce consumer demand for bluefin tuna. The Bluefin Brigade is accomplishing this by providing a pledge to sign and a boycott to join, as well as a list of restaurants in the United States that do not serve bluefin tuna anymore. A flier with more information about this organization can be downloaded here. [27]
Other organizations involved in the conservation of bluefin tuna include Greenpeace and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Bluefin Brigade - This organization was founded by the Center for Biological Diversity in 2010. Their purpose is to reduce consumer demand for bluefin tuna. The Bluefin Brigade is accomplishing this by providing a pledge to sign and a boycott to join, as well as a list of restaurants in the United States that do not serve bluefin tuna anymore. A flier with more information about this organization can be downloaded here. [27]
Other organizations involved in the conservation of bluefin tuna include Greenpeace and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).