Tuna are highly migratory fish, traversing vast distances across the world’s oceans. Their mobility makes tuna harvest a complex, globally managed enterprise, establishing tuna as one of the most commercially significant seafood commodities worldwide. Tracking where the majority of tuna is caught maps both biological abundance and the operational reach of global fishing fleets. The total global catch of major commercial tuna species reached approximately 5.2 million tonnes in 2022 and 2023.
Global Distribution of Major Tuna Species
The global tuna catch comprises four main species, each with distinct habitat preferences that dictate where fishing fleets concentrate their efforts. Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is the most heavily harvested species, accounting for over half of the worldwide catch. It is primarily a tropical species found in the warm surface waters of the open ocean, allowing for effective harvest using large-scale purse seine nets.
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) are also tropical tunas, but their vertical distribution is wider, occupying both surface and subsurface waters. Yellowfin is the second most caught species. Bigeye tuna often dive to greater depths in cooler water to feed, requiring different fishing gear, such as longlines.
Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) is unique as it prefers both tropical and temperate waters. Albacore distribution depends on age, with juveniles found closer to the surface in cooler zones, while larger adults inhabit deeper waters. The vast migratory ranges of these species necessitate international Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) to oversee the harvest, as no single country can manage the populations in isolation.
The Dominant Ocean Fishing Areas
The global tuna harvest is heavily skewed toward the Pacific Ocean, which consistently yields the highest volume of tuna catch. The Pacific Ocean contributes an estimated 66% to 70% of the total global catch. Within the Pacific, the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) is the most productive zone globally, accounting for roughly 51% to 56% of the world’s total tuna harvest.
The high productivity of the WCPO is due to vast warm waters that suit Skipjack tuna, the most abundant commercial species. The Eastern Pacific Ocean, managed by a separate international commission, accounts for the remaining portion of the Pacific Ocean catch.
The Indian Ocean is the second most significant tuna fishing area, contributing approximately 20% to 24% of the global catch. This basin is a major source for tropical species, particularly Skipjack and Yellowfin. Stocks in the Indian Ocean, such as Bigeye and Yellowfin, have faced management challenges, with some being classified as overfished.
The Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea, trails the other two major oceans, accounting for the remaining 10% to 11% of the worldwide tuna volume. Fishing activity in the Atlantic targets all four major species but at lower volumes. The distribution of fishing effort across these three ocean basins reflects the biological distribution and abundance of the tuna species.
Leading Catching Nations
A small number of nations dominate the harvesting of tuna through the operation of large fishing fleets. Indonesia consistently ranks as the top tuna-catching nation by volume, landing approximately 1.43 million metric tonnes in 2023. Unlike many other top countries, a large portion of Indonesia’s catch is derived from domestic, small-scale fishing operations within its own vast waters.
Other nations employ large-scale, distant-water fishing fleets that operate across multiple ocean regions. Vietnam followed Indonesia with a 2023 catch of nearly 498,000 metric tonnes. Ecuador, a major player in the Eastern Pacific, followed with an annual catch of approximately 370,000 metric tonnes, largely supplying the cannery market.
Distant-water fishing nations, such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, also rank highly due to the reach of their fleets. These fleets often operate under license in the exclusive economic zones of other coastal states, particularly in the productive Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Japan, Korea, and Taiwan all report significant catches, demonstrating the global nature of their commercial enterprise.