The United Nations (UN) celebrates World Tuna Day every year on May 2 to raise awareness about the importance of tuna and advocate more sustainable fishing practices.
World Tuna Day 2023 was observed on 2nd May 2023.
Background:
- On December 7, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed resolution A/RES/71/124 designating May 2 as World Tuna Day.
- The first World Tuna Day was observed on May 2, 2017.
Family/Genus: Scombridae/Thunnus
Status: Some species are critically endangered
- Tuna, a saltwater fish, is made up of 15 species spread across five families, with sizes ranging from the tiny bullet tuna to the 2 m-long Atlantic bluefin tuna, which is thought to live up to 50 years.
- The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that most tuna populations are fully fished, leaving no opportunity for fisheries development, and that others are already overexploited, posing a risk of stock collapse.
SDG 14 is concerned with the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Addtional Info:
- According to the United Nations, tuna is important for the food security and nutrition of many countries throughout the world.
- At the same time, tuna fisheries exist in over 80 nations, with capacity steadily increasing.
Benefits of Tuna:
- The high quantities of omega-3 fatty acids in tuna fish may assist to reduce the level of omega-6 fatty acids and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol that can build within the arteries of the heart.
- Omega-3 consumption has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.
- Tuna’s omega-3s appear to improve eye health.
- Tuna contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to reduce inflammation and inhibit the formation of tumor cells in the body.