People have fished tuna for 44,000 years
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Archaeologists and biologists studied evidence from around the world and determined people in East Timor, Southeast Asia, harvested tuna as early as 44,000 years ago.
The researchers examined tuna bones found in archaeological sites, ancient art, historical records, and accounts from Indigenous communities to understand the history of tuna fishing. They found that while ancient fisheries in places like Japan, Korea, the Mediterranean, and North America’s northwest coast were well-established, they removed only thousands of tons of tuna over millennia.
Ancient fishers used methods like hooks, lines, harpoons, and nets, often taking advantage of coastal geography to catch tuna. In the Mediterranean, a commercial fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna formed around 3,000 years ago, relying on predictable migration patterns and coastal access. Along the northwest coast of North America, Indigenous people used unique techniques, including nighttime voyages guided by bioluminescent plankton, to harpoon Pacific bluefin tuna.
Currently, the global tuna industry is worth around $40 billion annually, harvesting millions of tons each year. While some tuna species remain threatened, effective management practices in certain regions have stabilized populations. The researchers suggest that the long history of human innovation in tuna fishing offers hope for future sustainable management of these important fish.
