Tuna Fishing

Tuna fishing as a major industry did not exist before the 20th century, although there were some catches of “giant” mackerel off areas such as the British Isles that may have been bluefin tuna. Industrial tuna fishing began in the United States in 1903, when tuna was seen as a possible replacement for dwindling sardine catches, but the industry really took off during World War II, when canned tuna became an important source of protein. Tuna have been caught with driftnets, purse seine nets, long lines, and traps. The United States and Japan are currently the two largest consumers of tuna, accounting for 31 percent and 36 percent of the world catch, respectively. In 2000, an estimated 3.6 million tons of tuna were caught, 66 ...