“From Overfishing to Microplastics: Why Tuna Requires Urgent Rethinking”

The consumption of tuna has been on the rise due to its versatility, nutrition, and perceived sustainability. Tuna has become a popular food choice, with tuna sandwiches, poke, and salad being some of the many options. However, the demand for tuna has led to a decrease in tuna stocks globally, raising questions about its sustainability. Additionally, the fishing industry has contributed to overfishing, bycatch, and exploitation of human rights. This article will explore the reasons why we need to rethink our consumption of tuna and how we can work towards ethical and sustainable fishing practices.

## Sustaining Tuna Populations

Tuna is a highly migratory species, with fifteen different kinds found in oceans worldwide. The fishing industry’s value is expected to reach $49 billion by 2029, with the United States accounting for the largest market globally. However, reports have raised concerns about global tuna populations due to the insatiable appetite for tuna. Recent estimates show that one-third of the principal commercial tuna stocks were being fished unsustainably. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) reported that the stock of Atlantic bluefin tuna had declined to 13% of its levels from 70 years prior. Overfishing and insignificant sustainable practices have taken their toll on tuna populations.

To address this issue, governments and organizations need to prioritize sustainable fishing practices that consider tuna’s reproductive rate. Tuna takes up to five years to reach maturity and only two in every 30 million will reach adulthood even if a female can lay up to 10 million eggs per year. The use of catch limits and measures to reduce bycatch can also help sustain tuna populations.

## Effects of Bycatch on Tuna

Bycatch refers to marine creatures caught unintentionally during commercial fishing operations. Most bycatch species are thrown back into the water, cannot be sold, or used for other purposes. Sadly, these unintended catches often contribute to the decline of marine life populations. The highly migratory nature of tuna makes bycatch inevitable. Longlining is one of the most common methods used for fishing tuna, but it has a 20% bycatch rate. Additionally, the purse-seining method used to collect skipjack tuna contributes to population decline. This method traps young bigeye or yellowfin tuna, which are yet to breed.

Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) also exacerbate the bycatch problem. The use of FADs, combined with purse-seine fishing, leads to a higher risk of bycatch, which negatively affects marine ecosystems and fisheries production. Bycatch endangers protected species, alters the availability of prey, and harms key fish habitats, making it essential to regulate these practices effectively.

## The Human Cost of Unsustainable Tuna Fishing

In addition to the environmental impact of increased tuna fishing, tuna fishing vessels’ workers face human rights abuses. As the fish stocks decline, vessels must travel farther from the coast for extended periods, leading to isolation and increased risk of abuse. Forced labor, a type of modern slavery, is a prevalent abuse in tuna fishing vessels.

Greenpeace East Asia and Greenpeace Southeast Asia investigations have examined the cases of dozens of fishers from 40 different vessels. One of the fishermen reported working for 34 hours straight, while others worked up to 20 hours a day. They often received insufficient nutrition, inedible food, and rusty-colored drinking water. Fishers in these situations cannot verify if their salary has been sent to their family as they do not have access to the internet or phone service for months.

With fishers often working under slave-like conditions and having limited freedom of movement, there is a chance that the person who caught the tuna in your local grocery store is a victim of forced labor. Therefore, conscious efforts must apply to uphold ethical labor practices.

## Ensuring a Sustainable Future

The consumption of tuna has been on the rise, and so have concerns about its sustainability. We can all play a role in promoting sustainable fishing practices and reducing our consumption of tuna. Choosing sustainable seafood options and demanding sustainable fishing practices from fishing companies can help in this fight.

Legislation agencies and governments worldwide may also address concerns around bycatch and the overfishing of tuna. Furthermore, transparency within the industry can instill public confidence that the tuna purchased is sustainably caught and harvested with ethical labor practices.

In conclusion, ensuring sustainable tuna fishing requires a collective effort. Sustainable fishing practices must be prioritized to protect ocean ecosystems, marine life, and human rights. While more needs to be done to enable the realization of an ethical and sustainable tuna industry, individual efforts can contribute to this fight.

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