As of early 2026, the state of global tuna stocks is largely positive, with approximately 97% of the total commercial catch coming from healthy, non-overfished populations, according to the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation. Of the 23 main tuna stocks, 74% are at healthy abundance levels, with nearly 100% not experiencing overfishing. The majority of the global catch is skipjack tuna, followed by yellowfin.
Key details regarding the state of global tuna stocks include:
Stock Status: 74% of 23 major commercial stocks are at healthy abundance levels, while 26% are at an intermediate level, and none are overfished.
Overfishing Status: 96% of stocks are not experiencing overfishing, an improvement from previous reports.
Species Breakdown: The 2024 global catch of 5.8 million tonnes is primarily composed of skipjack (58%), yellowfin (30%), bigeye (7%), and albacore (4%).
Recovery and Management: Most tuna stocks are managed through quota systems, scientific monitoring, and harvest strategies. Notably, all three bluefin tuna species are showing signs of recovery.
Exceptions: Despite general improvements, the Indian Ocean bigeye tuna and Mediterranean albacore remain overfished and subject to overfishing
Long-term Outlook: Effective management, such as in the Pacific for bluefin, has enabled stocks to rebuild faster than anticipated.