World Tuna Day
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Overview
World Tuna Day is a United Nations observance held every May 2 to highlight the ecological and economic importance of tuna and the need for sustainable fisheries management.
Origin and story
The United Nations General Assembly formally designated May 2 as World Tuna Day through resolution 71/124, adopted in December 2016, with the first official observance held in 2017.
More than 96 countries are involved in tuna fisheries, which are worth billions of dollars annually and provide a vital source of protein and income worldwide.
Quick facts
- DateMay 2
- TypeUN observance / Conservation
- Great forConservationists, Seafood lovers, Educators
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
World Tuna Day tracks one of ocean conservation's rare, measurable success stories: a fishery that was genuinely at risk has moved most of the way back toward sustainable.
A UN observance built around a real recovery
The UN General Assembly designated May 2 as World Tuna Day through resolution 71/124 in December 2016, with the first official observance in 2017, to highlight both the ecological and economic importance of tuna and the risks of overfishing. At the time, only about 75% of the global tuna catch came from healthy, non-overfished stocks. Thanks to coordinated action by governments through five regional tuna fisheries management organizations — including science-based catch rules, improved electronic monitoring, and stronger surveillance — an estimated 99% of commercial tuna catches today come from stocks assessed as biologically sustainable, and Atlantic Bluefin tuna have returned to waters off southern England and Ireland where they had once disappeared.
The work isn't finished
Of 23 major tuna stocks tracked globally, only two remain subject to overfishing. Remaining challenges include climate change pushing tuna populations farther out to sea, and preventing sharks, turtles, and seabirds like albatross from being accidentally caught as bycatch.
Ways to mark the day
- Choose sustainably certified tuna next time you shop, and look for traceability labeling.
- Learn which of the roughly 15 tuna species (bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, bigeye, and others) shows up most often in your area.
- Share the 75%-to-99% sustainability improvement with someone who assumes ocean conservation news is always bad news.
Helpful resources: United Nations, "World Tuna Day".
Did you know?
Tuna are warm-blooded and among the fastest fish in the sea — some species, like the bluefin, can swim in bursts of up to roughly 75 km/h (about 47 mph).
Fun facts
- The United Nations General Assembly formally designated May 2 as World Tuna Day through resolution 71/124, adopted in December 2016.
- The very first official World Tuna Day was observed in 2017, making it a relatively recent addition to the UN's calendar of observances.
- There are about 15 species of tuna, including the prized bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, and bigeye, and they are found across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
- More than 96 countries are involved in tuna fisheries, and tuna and tuna-like species are worth billions of dollars annually, providing a vital source of protein and income worldwide.
- Tuna are warm-blooded and among the fastest fish in the sea, with some species like the bluefin capable of swimming in bursts of up to around 75 km/h (about 47 mph).
Sources and attribution
Primary source: United Nations, "World Tuna Day".
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is World Tuna Day?
- It is observed on May 2 each year.
- What is World Tuna Day?
- World Tuna Day is an international observance held every May 2 to raise awareness about the value of tuna, the threats of overfishing, and the importance of sustainable fisheries management. It was officially established by the United Nations to highlight the ecological and economic significance of these fast-swimming ocean fish.
- How do people celebrate World Tuna Day?
- People learn about sustainable tuna fisheries and the UN's conservation progress: as of the latest data, an estimated 99% of commercial tuna catches now come from stocks assessed as biologically sustainable, up from 75% in 2017.
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