The Bluefin Tuna Extinction PowerPoint By Eric Nguyen

Introduction A common quote used is “there are plenty of fish in the sea,” however due to overexploitation, this quote may not have the same meaning as it will over the next few years. For this and other reasons I chose to research fish for this assignment and more specifically, the Bluefin tuna. For centuries, tuna and fish in general have been an important component to peoples diets and as the human population grows, there are more mouths to feed. However the fish population can not keep up with the demand and so over the years the fish population of Atlantic and Southern Bluefin tuna have dropped significantly which not only affects us but the entire food chain.

Types of Bluefin Southern Bluefin Tuna Length: 8.2 feet Weight: 570 lbs Location: Southern Hemisphere – Indian Ocean commonly Pacific Bluefin Tuna Length: 9.8 feet Weight: 990 lbs Location: Northern Pacific Ocean, but have migrated south Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Length: 8.2 feet Weight: 551 lbs Location: Northern Atlantic Ocean and in Mediterranean Sea *Measurements are maximums

Facts Their exterior colours help camouflage them from above and below. The top of their bodies are dark blue and the bottoms are a silver-white. Their torpedo shaped bodies make then one of the fastest fish going ay 70km/hour They live for around 15 years, but some are believed to be up to 50 years old Their core body temperature can be maintained even when the temperature surrounding them changes. This allows them to still be efficient when being chased, hunting or when migrating. They can go as deep as 600m but at night they swim at about 50m.

Diet Bluefin tuna are carnivores and their diet regularly consist of small fish and invertebrates such as herring, sardines, squid, mackerel and crustaceans. In aquaculture, they are fed small frozen pelagic fishes. However research is being done to develop a less expensive way to feed the fish. The problem is that whatever the fish eats affects its taste, therefore it makes this difficult. The Bluefin tuna is very important in our diets. Not only does it come in large quantities around the world, and is considered among Japanese and Western chefs to be the best raw fish in the world. Bluefin tuna meat is often found I sushi and sashimi.

Going Extinct The main cause of the Bluefin tuna going extinct is overfishing throughout the world. Their large quantity, price and taste has brought a large demand to the fish market especially to Japan. Estimates say the Southern Bluefin tunas population has decreased by 92% and the Atlantic by 90%. Their peak price in 1990 was at $34 per kilogram, the typical fish would then sell for around $ Since then of 2008, it is now around $23 per kilogram. The decrease is due the large supply of fish being caught, however the extras are easily frozen and sold in stores without losing their taste. Bluefin tuna are not only prised by their taste but also because of their features. Recreational fishers like to also catch Bluefin tuna as they are enormous and fast, creating a more challenging catch.

Prevention For years, the Bluefin tuna has IUCN Red list of Threatened species as Endangered and even Critically. Recently they’ve been added to red list of Greenpeace International. Countries have taken some action as organizations such as the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas were created. They’ve been able to reduced the total allowable catch globally from tonnes to tonnes for the Southern Bluefin tuna. However these restrictions can even create a larger demand for these fishes causing illegal fishing markets to form. Aquaculture is also a method that helps the tuna population. On the other hand it also affects it negatively as wild Bluefin tuna are also brought into the pens before they are able to reproduce. In 2009, using hormonal therapy there were able to create complete aquaculture allowing for the reproduction of Bluefin tuna without wild ones.

Affecting Ecosystems It distorts the entire food chain practically destroying the physical environments of the ocean. It could affect fisheries making them close down and destroying the economy and fishing business. This can be avoided with sustainable fishing. All marine life rely on each other, and so specifically fishing for one type such as the Bluefin tuna will ensure its extinction along with others in the after effects. Unintentionally killing Bluefin tuna and other species of marine animals due to lost nets or long line fishing increases the rate at which they go extinct. Pollution due to garbage or chemical spills not only kills the fish but the ecosystems at the same time.

Affecting Humans Biodiversity – Fish being so important to not only humans but other animals, making them extinct can destroy the diversity among marine life, especially since fish have been here the longest Ethical – Overfishing is not only the case of the Bluefin tuna but also of many other marine animals. The marine animals are being caught in cruel ways sometimes unintentionally too. They’re even caught for recreational purposes. Social – It may cause world debates and conflicts on the conservation of marine animals as it is a huge market. Esthetic – It shows how careless we are with the worlds limited resources Economic – The fishing industry is on e of the largest markets not only for food but for money. Its ethically good to not over fish but because fishing can create so much revenue, poor countries especially are not willing to let it go.