Tuna: Fishery, Biology and Management

Tuna, a very large and charismatic food fish with a wide \ndistributional range, are valuable both in domestic \nand foreign markets and hence, play a vital role in the \neconomies of many countries especially oceanic Islands. Tunas \nare highly valued food fishes targeted by coastal fishers as well \nas distant water fishing nations. The oceanic waters adjoining \nthe Asia-Pacific region contribute the bulk of the global tuna \nproduction. World tuna production touched the record high of \n4.3 million tonnes in 2005. Although they constitute less than \n5% of the world commercial catch by weight, they contribute \nmuch by dollar value (US$ 5.3 billion). Tuna does the third \nlargest product in the international seafood trade constitute \nover 15%. Of the global tuna production, about 21.7% (1.2 \nmillion tonnes) is contributed by Indian Ocean. The rapid \ndevelopment of tuna fishery in the Indian Ocean now needs \nconstant monitoring to know the impact of exploitation on \nthe stocks. Tuna fishing and fisheries have become priority \ntheme while addressing issues of development, utilization \nand management of fisheries in India in the light of EEZ \nregulations and other international conventions.