Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Also known as Tuna, Bluefin tuna, Toro, Maguro, Giant bluefin, Northern bluefin tuna
Culinary Profile
Bluefin has a distinctive flavor. With its high fat content, it is especially prized for sushi and sashimi. Cooking is generally not advised as it produces a strong fish taste and odor.
Bluefin tuna flesh is the darkest and fattiest of any tuna. A higher fat content in bluefin tuna is equated with a higher-quality product. The flesh has the firmness and appearance of beef steaks.
Bluefin tuna is a very good source of protein, thiamin, selenium, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Atlantic bluefin tuna have large, torpedo-shaped bodies that are nearly circular in cross-section. They are the largest of the tuna species and can reach up to 13 feet and 2,000 pounds. They have dark blue-black on the back and white on the lower sides and belly. Atlantic bluefin tuna h ave colorless lines alternating with rows of colorless spots on their lower sides.
Biology
Bluefin tuna grow more slowly than other tuna. They have a long lifespan, up to 20 years or more and generally don’t spawn until they are about 8 years old. They spawn from mid-April to June, mainly in the Gulf of America. Females can produce up to 10 million eggs a year. The eggs are fertilized in the water column and hatch in about 2 days. Bluefin tuna are top predators.
Where They Live
Range In the western Atlantic, bluefin tuna are found from Newfoundland to the Gulf of America. Habitat Atlantic bluefin tuna live near the surface in temperate waters but frequently dive to depths of 500 to 1,000 meters. They are a highly migratory species. They can migrate thousands of miles across an entire ocean. Tagging studies have indicated that bluefin tuna move across the east/west boundary in the Atlantic.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to Louisiana.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
ICCAT implemented harvest quotas for the western Atlantic bluefin tuna stock in 1982. Since then, catch has been relatively stable. U.S. catch comprises about half of the total western Atlantic bluefin tuna catch and less than 10 percent of Atlantic-wide bluefin tuna catch (including the Mediterranean Sea). Commercial fishery: Ex-vessel prices depend on a number of factors, including the quality of the fish (e.g., freshness, fat content, method of storage), the weight of the fish, the supply of fish, and consumer demand. Exports vary from year to year and generally depend on the amount of commercial landings and Japanese yen/U.S. dollar exchange rates. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: U.S.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 23.33 g | 5 / 111 | 95% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 890 mg | 8 / 104 | 92% |
| Vitamin B12 | 9.43 µg | 10 / 106 | 91% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Phosphorus | 254 mg | 14 / 111 | 87% |
| Vitamin D | 5.7 IU | 17 / 54 | 69% |
| Iron | 1.02 mg | 21 / 111 | 81% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 283 mg | 26 / 104 | 75% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Zinc | 0.6 mg | 38 / 111 | 66% |
Other Species in Genus Thunnus
7 close biological relatives of Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Bigeye Tuna | Thunnus obesus | 16.04 | 55 | Smart Choice |
| Atlantic Yellowfin Tuna | Thunnus albacares | 24.4 | 88 | Smart Choice |
| North Atlantic Albacore Tuna | Thunnus alalunga | 16.04 | 55 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Albacore Tuna | Thunnus alalunga | 16.04 | 55 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Bigeye Tuna | Thunnus obesus | 16.04 | 55 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Bluefin Tuna | Thunnus orientalis | 23.33 | 890 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Yellowfin Tuna | Thunnus albacares | 24.4 | 88 | Smart Choice |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna get?
reach up to 13 feet and 2,000 pounds.
Is Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna a good source of omega-3 fatty acids?
Per 100 g raw, Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna supplies 283 mg of EPA and 890 mg of DHA — the two long-chain omega-3s most cited in cardiovascular research.
Is Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna a good source of vitamin B12?
Yes — Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna provides 9.43 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g raw, which is 393% of the 2.4 µg daily value.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught western Atlantic bluefin tuna is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed under a conservation and management plan that allows limited harvest by U.S. fishermen.
Stock Structure
According to the 2021 stock assessment western Atlantic bluefin tuna stock is not subject to overfishing, but the overfished status is unknown. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . For 2023, the stock is being managed under ICCAT Recommendation 21-10 that is responsive to scientific advice.
Population
The population level is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to catch bluefin tuna rarely contacts the ocean floor and has minimal impact on habitat.
Bycatch
Fishing gear used by U.S. fishermen to target schools of bluefin tuna is fairly selective, and allows for the live release of any unintentionally caught species.
Management
Effective conservation and management of highly migratory species like bluefin tuna require international cooperation as well as strong domestic management. NOAA Fisheries , through the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division , manages the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery in the United States, and sets regulations for the U.S.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.