Atlantic Bluefin Tuna An Endangered Species

 Common name: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna  Scientific name: Thunnus Thynnus  Bluefin Tuna Fun Fact: They can dive up to 4000 feet!  Population: Their population has dropped by 96% and is below sustainable levels. s/giant-sea-creatures/diver-and-bluefin-tuna-anderson/ sport-safer/

 - They weigh up to 600 pounds  - The largest of their species as they can grow 2-4 meters  - They have a majestic metallic blue colour on the top of their bodies and on their bottom half shimmer a combination of silver and white. This allows them to be camouflaged from above and below.  - Warm-blooded  - Their crescent shape tail allows for the fish to reach speeds up to 70 km/hr  - They retract their dorsal and pectoral fins into slots on their body to maintain speed  - Eyes are flush with their body Physical Description

 - Atlantic Bluefin tuna live up to 15 years in the wild.  - These fish are very loyal as they return to their birthplace to spawn in the Gulf of Mexico or the Mediterranean Sea  -Reach maturity from 8-12 years of age and only spawn once a year  - Females can produce up to 10 million eggs a year but only a small amount survive to adulthood  - The babies or larvae grow 1 mm a day and separate into schools based on their size once they reach 85 – 175 pounds Life Cycle

 Found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, east coast of North America, Central Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea.  Their migration journey has been tracked beginning in North American waters all the way to European ocean, which they swim up to several times a year. Habitat

 - These fish are carnivores that are constantly eating smaller fish, crustaceans, squid, and eels  - They also Filter-feed on zooplankton Carnivore: An animal that feeds on other animal flesh. Diet

 These fish maintain an important balance in the ocean environment, as they are a top predator in the marine food chain. Purpose in the Ocean

The Bluefin Tuna has been extremely over fished in the past years. Their meat is a delicacy for the seafood world, especially in Asia where it is used in sushi and sashimi. The Bluefin Tuna are worth major amounts of money and in 2012 one of these fish sold for 1.75 million dollars. Fisherman are continually out on the oceans trying to get their next big catch and as a result, the population of this specie is diminishing too quickly, putting them on the endangered specie list. Click the Link Below to View Video Over-Fishing

 Extinct – No known individuals surviving  Extinct in the Wild- Known only to survive in captivity  Critically Endangered- Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild  Endangered- High risk of extinction in the wild  Vulnerable- High risk of endangerment in the wild  Near Threatened- Likely to become endangered in the future  Least Concern- Lowest risk of extinction  Data Deficient- Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction * What does endangered mean?

 Fisherman are also catching Bluefin tuna when they have not reached their reproductive stage, therefore causing a decline in reproduction rates and the size of large tuna. Over-Fishing

 Fishermen have illegally exploited their breeding grounds where female tuna lay their eggs and choose to fish there leaving the Bluefin tuna to be hunted at a young non- reproductive and not able to reproduce at the rate they need to. Habitat Loss

 Do not buy endangered Tuna or from a company that does not support sustainable fishing  Become educated  Spread the word  Donate How to Help

 Why is the Bluefin Tuna endangered?  If the Bluefin Tuna is endangered, why is it still being fished?  Who creates laws and rules about the ocean and fishing?  How will the Bluefin Tuna regain its population?  What can I do to act socially responsible to help the Bluefin Tuna?  Where can we find Bluefin Tuna?  Who owns fisheries and distributes Bluefin Tuna?  Where is Bluefin Tuna coming from?  What are the laws for selling Bluefin Tuna?  Is fishing and selling to a global market sustainable?  Is fish farming sustainable?  How does technology affect the Bluefin Tuna?  What would happen to the ocean if there was no longer any Bluefin Tuna?  What would happen if Bluefin Tuna went extinct?  How has the government responded to overfishing and the endangerment of Bluefin Tuna? Inquiry Questions

*World Wild Fund for Nature- _tuna/ _tuna/ *National Geographic- Z Z *David Suzuki Foundation- *The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website offers information and resources for teachers to use in their classroom. Link to general information about Bluefin Tuna: Z Resources for Students and Teachers (These resources were used to find the information provided in this kit)

*National Geographic offers an unlimited amount of reliable information. The education link will take you into grade level resources when searching specific topics. Here is information on the Bluefin Tuna in grade level ability. You will need to make a free account and log in. en=HKMl4DJf0g8lOfoRj62DIaf5U4vItjOG&token=bluefin+tuna&searchSubmit.x =- 956&searchSubmit.y=107&page_num=1&per_page=10&sorting=0&tab=0&ar_a =1&audiences=1#page_num=1&sorting=0&per_page=10&tab=0&token=bluefin% 20tuna en=HKMl4DJf0g8lOfoRj62DIaf5U4vItjOG&token=bluefin+tuna&searchSubmit.x =- 956&searchSubmit.y=107&page_num=1&per_page=10&sorting=0&tab=0&ar_a =1&audiences=1#page_num=1&sorting=0&per_page=10&tab=0&token=bluefin% 20tuna *The World Wildlife Fund For Nature website is a great resource for students to use to find reliable information as well as to find reliable teacher resources. Again, a free account needs to be made to access specific information. Here is the link to the Bluefin Tuna information. *The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna website represents a committee of countries that are responsible for the management of Bluefin tuna. This website will give information on laws and regulations for catching and selling this specie. Resources Continued

*Arkive.org is another website that offers reliable information about endangered species. This is the link related to Bluefin Tuna. *The IUCN Red List Site offers information on the classification of endangerment for the Bluefin Tuna and shows a map of the world where this specie is most endangered. *Fisheries and Aquaculture Department *Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, WWF offers what you can do to help Resources Continued

Documentary “The End of the Line” documentary by Rupert Murray is an award winning film about global overfishing in the world’s ocean. Its focuses on the exploitation of the ocean and the fast pace it is at that threatens the future of the ocean and humankind. There is a specific focus on the Bluefin tuna as an endangered specie. It is revealed what you and your students can do to act socially responsible and help marine life. Books (The books listed here would be excellent read alouds to grades 5-8 as the reading may be on a higher level than your students) “Giant Bluefin” by Douglas Whynott describes the Japanese demand for Bluefin Tuna, the struggle for conservation and a fictional fisherman’s story that brings you through important information about the Bluefin Tuna. “Tuna: A Love Story” by Richard Ellis. This book reveals how Tuna has become a commodity and is being extensively exploited. A push for the sustainability of the natural world and how the global economy interrupts this is explored. (The following books are for grade level ability and are non-fiction and fiction) “Hello Mr. Tuna!” by Lori LIDDIC Floerchinger and illustrated by Jeremy Floerchinger “The Young Man and the Sea” by Rodman Philbrick is a story of survival for a young boy name Skiff Beaman whose mom has just passed away and needs to find a way to take care of himself and his father. “Tuna (Underwater World Set II)” by Deborah Coldiron is a book about the species of Tuna in the ocean.

These are the curriculum connections that apply to various topics that relate to researching Bluefin Tuna. An inquiry project can take learning anywhere, therefore, other outcomes may be met depending on the type of learning happening. We selected grades 5-8 for the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna as it gives the opportunity to learn about higher understandings of economy, sustainability, trade, government, class and consumerism. Grade 5 Science  MC5.3 Assess how the production, use, and disposal of raw materials and manufactured products affects self, society, and the environment.  FM5.3 Assess how natural and man-made forces and simple machines affect individuals, society, and the environment. Grade 5 Social  RW5.1 Explain the importance of sustainable management of the environment to Canada’s future.  RW5.2 Hypothesize about economic changes that Canada may experience in the future. Curriculum Connections

Grade 6 Science  DL6.1 Recognize, describe, and appreciate the diversity of living things in local and other ecosystems, and explore related careers.  DL6.2 Examine how humans organize understanding of the diversity of living things.  DL6.3 Analyze the characteristics and behaviours of vertebrates (i.e., mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish) and invertebrates  DL6.4 Examine and describe structures and behaviours that help: individual living organisms survive in their environments in the short term species of living organisms adapt to their environments in the long term Grade 6 Social  IN6.1 Evaluate and represent personal beliefs and values by determining how culture and place influence them.  PA6.1 Examine the relationship between an individual’s power and authority and the power and authority of others.  RW6.2 Contribute to initiating and guiding change in local and global communities regarding environmental, social, and economic sustainability. C.C.’s Continued

Grade 7 Science  IE7.1 Relate key aspects of Indigenous knowledge to their understanding of ecosystems.  IE7.4 Analyze how ecosystems change in response to natural and human influences, and propose actions to reduce the impact of human behaviour on a specific ecosystem. Grade 7 Social  IN7.2 Examine the effects of globalization on the lives of people in Canada and in circumpolar and Pacific Rim countries.  IN7.3 Analyze the relationship of technology to globalization.  DR7.3 Analyze the relationship between current and historical events and the physical and social environments in Pacific and northern Canada and in a selection of Pacific Rim and circumpolar countries.  RW7.2 Investigate the influence of resources upon economic conditions of peoples in circumpolar and Pacific Rim countries.  RW7.3 Assess the ecological stewardship of economies of Canada and the circumpolar and Pacific Rim countries. C.C.’s Continued

Grade 8 Science  WS8.3 Analyze natural factors and human practices that affect productivity and species distribution in marine and fresh water environments. Grade 8 Social  RW8.2 Assess the implications of personal consumer choices.  RW8.3 Critique the approaches of Canada and Canadians to environmental stewardship and sustainability. C.C.’s Continued