Atlantic bluefin tuna: caught, caged, and under threat

Compassion in World Farming's report "Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: Caught, Caged, and Under Threat" highlights the negative impacts of tuna farming on animal welfare, the environment, and food security. Tuna farming involves catching wild Atlantic bluefin tuna and then transferring them to sea cages where they are intensively fed large quantities of wild-caught fish, contributing to a weakening of food security due to the significant amounts of fish consumed by farmed tuna. The industry has seen rapid expansion, raising concerns about pressure on wild populations and the welfare conditions of farmed tuna, as highlighted in footage released by CIWF.

The report also identifies the significant public subsidies, totaling over €64 million, that have supported tuna farming, calling for a moratorium on new or expanded tuna farms to prevent further strain on wild populations. CIWF advocates for greater transparency, monitoring, and animal welfare assessments in the industry, as well as redirecting subsidies towards sustainable aquaculture practices. They urge governments to take action to stop tuna farming and prioritize the conservation and welfare of Atlantic bluefin tuna.