Yellowfin tuna are prized for sashimi and canned products. Their welfare across purse seine, longline, and sport fishing methods is a significant global issue.
Large yellowfin caught on longlines experience prolonged suffering — sometimes over 24 hours on hooks in deep water. Recreational yellowfin fishing involves battles lasting hours, causing extreme physiological stress. Purse seine capture compresses schools with the same welfare impacts as other tuna. As large, active, warm-bodied predators, yellowfin tuna may have heightened capacity for suffering compared to smaller, cold-blooded fish. Japanese ikejime (brain-spiking) at capture significantly reduces suffering and is increasingly used in premium markets, demonstrating that humane killing is feasible even for large tuna.