- credit: Karl Kaufman
From 1961 to 1973, bluefin tuna represented 45 to 80% of the U.S. western Atlantic catch of large pelagic species.
Since 1980, the percentage has dropped to less than 15%, reflecting a combination of the decline in the bluefin tuna population, the impact of catch restrictions, and the increasing harvests of alternative species.
Landings for 2005, 2006, and 2007 were 718, 472, and 758 metric tons, respectively.
Data: NOAA/ICCAT
