USA Pacific Bluefin Tuna Catches

The U.S. catch of Pacific bluefin tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) represents a relatively minor component of Pacific bluefin tuna landings within the area, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Landings receipts of U.S. commercial vessels fishing in the EPO from 2007 to 2011 indicate that Pacific bluefin tuna catches  represent only two percent of the average annual landings for all fleets fishing in the EPO during the period. The average annual U.S. catch of Pacific bluefin tuna was 113 metric tons for 1999 through 2012.

Most of the landings are made by small coastal purse seine vessels operating in the Southern California Bight with limited additional landings made by the drift gillnet fleet that targets swordfish and thresher shark. Small numbers of Pacific bluefin tuna are also caught by surface hook and line and longline gear.

The number of purse seine vessels that have landed tuna in California averaged 197 annually from 1981 through 1990. However, from 2000 to 2013, six small purse seiners have been registered with the IATTC to target Pacific bluefin tuna in the Convention Area each year.

source: National Marine Fisheries Service