Fiji’s Tuna Today and for the Future

 

Fiji Post have collaborated with WWF organization issued the stamp set feature Fiji’s tuna, in related with the concern topic of Fiji government regarding to their population for today and the future, on April 07, 2004. The species of tuna are depicted are skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna,  and albacore. The issues are presented in one miniature sheet consist of 4  single stamps and local first day cover that have background image of tuna fishes in the sea with logo of WWF and motto “ Fiji’s Tuna Today and for the Future” as reminder for every one to care this species.

Fiji’s Tuna Today and for the Future

The  Fiji fishing  zone  area  has   attracted  foreign  fishing  activity  since the  early  1950s. Local
participation in the commercial tuna fishing  picked up in the mid 1970s, then mainly focusing on
pole-and-lining. Since the setting up of the Taiwanese  and  Korean long-line activity in the 1980s,
long-lining has become the predominant fishing method.Fiji exported 51% of  sashimi grade tuna to Japan and America in year 2006.  The remaining 49% was  exported to other countries, namely China,  Australia,  New Zealand,  Germany,  Reunion  Island,  Canada and Taiwan.  Albacore  and skipjack are either processed at the local cannery .

Skipjack tuna – Katsuwonus pelamis

The Skipjack tuna,  or Katsuwonus pelamis, is a medium-sized perciform fish in the tuna family, Scombridae. Skipjack is considered to have "moderate" mercury contamination. It grows up to 1 m  in length and have the distinctive shape  is a streamlined, fast-swimming pelagic fish, common in tropical waters throughout the world, where it inhabits surface waters in large shoals (up to 50,000 fish), feeding on fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and mollusks. It is an important prey species for large pelagic fishes and sharks.

Skipjack tuna is an important commercial and game fish, usually caught using purse seine nets, and is sold fresh, frozen, canned, dried, salted, and smoked. Countries recording large amounts of  this species catches include the Maldives, France, Spain, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

Skipjack tuna is the most fecund of the main commercial tunas, and its population is considered sustainable against its current consumption. Its fishing is still controversial due to the methodology; with rod and reel or fishery options being promoted as ecologically preferable.

Albacore tuna – Thunnus alalunga

The Albacore, Thunnus alalunga, is a type of tuna in the family Scombridae.It is the only tuna species which may be marketed as "white meat tuna" in the United States. It is found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. Lengths range up to 140 cm and weights up to 45 kg .

Albacore is a prized food, and the albacore fishery is economically significant. Methods of fishing include pole and line, long-line fishing, trolling, and some purse seining. It is also sought after by sport fishers.The pectoral fins of the albacore are very long, as much as 50% of the total length. The dorsal spines are 8 to 10 in number, and well forward of the rays of the dorsal fin. The anterior spines are much longer, giving a concave outline to the spiny part of the dorsal fin.

Yellowfin tuna – Thunnus albacares

The Yellowfin tuna is one of the largest tuna species.Yellowfin tuna are epipelagic fish that inhabit the mixed surface layer of the ocean above the thermocline. A thermocline  is a thin but distinct layer in a large body of fluid (e.g. water, such as an ocean or lake, or air, such as an atmosphere), in which temperature changes more rapidly with depth than it does in the layers above or below.The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a species of tuna found in pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.

Yellowfin tuna prey include other fish, pelagic crustaceans, and squid. Like all tunas their body shape is evolved for speed, enabling them to pursue and capture fast-moving baitfish such as flying fish, saury and mackerel. Schooling species such as myctophids or lanternfish and similar pelagic driftfish, anchovies and sardines are frequently taken.

Bigeye tuna – Thunnus obesus

The bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus, is an important food fish and prized recreational game fish. It is a true tuna of the genus Thunnus, belonging to the wider mackerel family Scombridae. Bigeye tuna vary up to 250 centimeters  in length. Its maximum weight probably exceeds 400 pounds , with the all-tackle angling record standing at 392 pounds . Bigeye tuna are large, deep-bodied, streamlined fish with large heads and eyes. The pectoral fins are very long, reaching back as far as the second dorsal fin. They display 13 or 14 dorsal spines.

Bigeye tuna are found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, but not the Mediterranean Sea. Longer-lived than the closely related yellowfin tuna, the bigeye has a lifespan of up to 12 years, with sexual maturity at age four. Feed items include both epipelagic and mesopelagic species, with deep diving behavior during the day thought to be related to the seeking of prey.

Bigeye tuna are amongst the tuna species most threatened by overfishing.The removal of large numbers of juvenile bigeye, before they reach breeding age, is a major concern to fisheries managers, scientists and sport fishermen. In 2010, Greenpeace International has added the bigeye tuna to its seafood red list.