2 May 2019

Thursday (2 May) is World Tuna Day, which serves to highlight the importance of this valuable food source to the marine ecosystem and the global economy, says the UN.

Established just two years ago, the day raises awareness about the importance of tuna – a staple of the seas - and serves to promote more sustainable fishing practices.

Highlighting that tuna and tuna-like species are very important economically to all countries – and a significant source of food – the UN warns that tuna is threatened by an overwhelming demand, especially for traditional canned tuna, and as sashimi and sushi.

Confirming that approximately 7 million tonnes of tuna are landed yearly, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasizes the whole aquaculture sector’s role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular, Sustainable Development Goal 14, to conserve the ocean and its resources.