Date: Tuesday, 2 May 2023; 7th Anniversary.
Sponsor: United Nations
Objectives:
World Tuna Day is annually observed throughout the coastal countries for the following purposes:
- to raise awareness about the overfishing of Tuna as endangered species.
- to spread awareness of the importance of tuna.
- to promote sustainable fishing practices.
Inception:
The World Tuna Day was observed for the first time in on May 2, 2017.
On 7 December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution A/RES/71/124, designating 2 May as World Tuna Day.
Why do we mark the World Tuna Day?
Tuna is an endothermic fish (it can adjust its body temperature and adapt to the icy water) and a large wild animal, living in several seas almost all over the world. Amazingly, there are more than two dozen varieties of tuna. They vary greatly in size and can reach up to 8 feet in length and weigh over 500 pounds. Tuna fish has several rich qualities such as Omega 3, Vitamin B12, proteins, and other minerals. it is one of the most important animals for the human economy and nutrition. Tuna species represent 20% of the value of all marine fisheries and more than 8% of all seafood traded globally. It has become so important in the diet of millions of people.
According to the United Nations, many countries depend heavily on tuna resources for food security and nutrition, economic development, employment, government revenue, and livelihoods. Thus, tuna fish is economically important for both developed and developing nations. Currently, more than 80 States have tuna fisheries, and thousands of tuna fishing vessels operate in all the oceans, with tuna fishery capacity in constant growth, especially in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Globally, approximately 7 million metric tons of tuna and tuna-like species are harvested every year.
With the high demand for tuna, several types of tuna are endangered now. In parts of the world, predatory overexploitation of some tuna species has brought the species to near-extinction. Overfishing not only threatens tuna but also other marine animals. Given so many countries around the world relying on tuna for both its nutritional and economic value, there is a need to promote more sustainable fishing practices.
The World Tuna Day is an important opportunity to recognize the value and importance of tuna, to educate people on how tuna have become endangered species, and to highlight the importance and benefits of establishing sustainable fishing practices.
Official website:
www.un.org/en/observances/tuna-day
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