What would happen if bluefin tuna went extinct?

Asked by: Andrea Smith

If bluefin tuna were to go extinct, it is likely that these sea creatures would quickly become overpopulated. This would cause a sort of domino effect as the increase in numbers of these animals would lead to a decrease in the populations of their prey.

Why is bluefin tuna important?

Tuna are Key Marine Predators
Tuna are a top predator and food source in the marine food chain and help to maintain a balance in the ocean environment. Ocean predators keep populations of marine life in check to prevent an upset of the ecological balance.

Will bluefin tuna become extinct?

Prized as a high-value dish at sushi restaurants, bluefin are being push toward extinction by decades of overfishing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists two species of bluefin, the Atlantic and the southern, as endangered or critically endangered, on its “Red List” of imperiled species.

Will tuna ever go extinct?

According to the new data, the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), once listed as endangered, now qualifies for a status of least concern. As does the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga), which were both considered near-threatened the last time they were assessed.

How many bluefin tunas are left in the world?

1.6 million

There are currently 1.6 million Pacific bluefin in the Pacific, and of those, 145,000 are reproducing adults. “So while the numbers of bluefin tuna are much less than desirable, there are still a lot out there,” says Yates.

Are bluefin tuna coming back?

There’s good news for the tuna you’re used to seeing in supermarkets, like Atlantic and Southern bluefin. These and two other species are showing signs of recovery from overfishing. They have been hunted by commercial fishing companies for decades but now it’s hoped they might not go extinct, as previously feared.

What eats blue fin tuna?

Bluefin tuna are top predators. Juveniles eat fish, squid, and crustaceans, and adults feed mainly on baitfish such as herring, bluefish, and mackerel. Sharks, marine mammals (including killer whales and pilot whales), and large fish feed on bluefin tuna. Bluefish and seabirds also prey upon juvenile bluefin tuna.

Is sushi going extinct?

Overfishing has rapidly depleted the populations of fish commonly used for sushi — and it’s only a matter of time before some species go extinct, experts warn. Pacific bluefin tuna populations are down 95 percent, prompting conservation organizations to call for limitations on commercial fishing.

Is bluefin tuna protected?

The IUCN lists 63 tuna species, and 15 are decreasing in population. Of these, the Southern bluefin tuna are at most risk and considered critically endangered (CR). However, the Atlantic bluefin tuna are endangered, while the Pacific bluefin tuna are vulnerable.

What’s the biggest tuna ever caught?

1,496 pounds

The world record for the largest bluefin tuna caught was set in 1979 in Nova Scotia, Canada. The fish weighed 1,496 pounds, according to the International Game Fish Association.