WORLD TUNA DAY 2024 by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

To this day the aims for this acknowledgement still remains to (1) heighten the awareness of Tuna as one of the endangered fish, (2) to make known the significance of the Tuna and (3) to advocate and reiterate the importance of Sustainable Fishing Practices.  World Tuna Day is celebrated since 2017 is celebrated on May 2nd.

This year marks seven years of the World Tuna Day (WTD) inception and the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) felt it was important to bring awareness to the entire world about these pertinent matters pertaining to these pelagic fish.  Many countries worldwide are dependent on the fishing industry for food security and economic importance.

Updated research revealed that there are over forty tuna and tuna type species, however the most endangered appears to the “Bluefin” Tuna.  The majority are found in Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.  One of the largest producers is Thailand.

Tunas are not indigenous to this region but are sighted and caught by fishers when passing through to another destination.  It is anticipated that overfishing and illegal fishing in areas of the world where it is done, that they would cooperate with agencies such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  According to the UN report over 97 percent of the tuna population has declined due to these indiscretions.

FAO is hopeful that by 2027 there would be a change for the betterment and an increase of the tuna main stock by the use of more sustainable fishing.