Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus)

Like other tuna, the bigeye is a member of the Scombridae family and a strong-fighting species that is equally revered for sport as for its flesh.

Other Names

bigeyed tuna, bigeye tunny; French: patudo, thon obèse; Hawaiian: ahi; Indonesian: taguw, tongkol; Italian: tonno obeso; Japanese: mebachi, mebuto; Portuguese: albacora bandolim, atum patudo, patudo; Spanish: albacora, atún ojo grande, patudo.

Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus)

A member of the Scombridae family and one of the smaller tuna, the blackfin is primarily a sportfish, with minor commercial interest.

Other Names

Bermuda tuna, blackfinned albacore, deep-bodied tunny; French: bonite, giromon, thon nuit; Japanese: mini maguro, monte maguro, taiseiyo maguro; Spanish: albacora, atún aleta negra.

Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

The bluefin tuna is the largest member of the Scombridae family and one of the largest true bony fish. A pelagic, schooling, highly migratory species, it has enormous commercial value, especially in large sizes, and is of significant recreational interest.

High demand for its dark red flesh has made the bluefin tuna the object of intense commercial and recreational fishing efforts and has resulted in a dwindling population of adult fish. This species, as well as its cousin the southern bluefin tuna, is gravely overfished. According to some estimates, the population of the species in the western Atlantic has declined by roughly 87 percent since 1970.

Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)

Although commonly called arctic bonito, the skipjack tuna is not a bonito and does not venture into arctic waters. This member of the Scombridae family is an esteemed light-tackle species and has great commercial value.

Other Names

skipjack, ocean bonito, arctic bonito, striped tuna, watermelon tuna; French: benite à ventre raye; Hawaiian: aku; Italian: tonnetto striato; Japanese: katsuo; Portuguese: gaiado, listão, listado; Spanish: bonito ártico, barrilete, listado.

Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)

Preferring warm waters, the yellowfin is the most tropical species of tuna in the Scombridae family. It is highly esteemed both as a sportfish and as table fare. Anglers throughout the world are familiar with the yellowfin, and it is heavily targeted commercially.

The meat of the yellowfin is light in color compared to that of most other tuna, with the exception of the albacore and the dogtooth tuna, which have white meat.