Tuna Fishing Methods and Fish Welfare

Tuna are among the world's most commercially valuable fish, caught using methods that vary enormously in their welfare impacts on target and bycatch species.

Key Facts

Approximately 5 million tonnes of tuna are caught annually worldwide
Purse seine fishing can capture thousands of fish in a single net set
Fish associated with FADs (fish aggregating devices) have 20-40% bycatch of non-target species
Pole-and-line fishing is considered the most selective and welfare-positive method
Bluefin tuna can live 40+ years and cross ocean basins on migration

Welfare Considerations

Tuna fishing methods create vastly different welfare profiles. Longlines cause injury and prolonged distress in both target species and bycatch (sharks, sea turtles, seabirds). Purse seine nets compress thousands of fish under extreme crowding. FAD-associated purse seining has high bycatch including juvenile tuna and other species. Pole-and-line fishing kills individual fish quickly with minimal bycatch. The MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification does not fully address welfare, but labels indicating pole-and-line caught are generally associated with better welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Choose pole-and-line or troll-caught tuna products where available
Look for Skipjack rather than Bluefin or Albacore which face worse overfishing pressure
Support MSC certification reform to include welfare criteria
Reduce canned tuna consumption and diversify protein sources
Advocate for FAD-free fishing standards in international tuna agreements