It takes a global village to conserve bluefin tuna

From Jan. 18-20, 2016, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Stanford University convened many of the world’s leading bluefin tuna researchers, policymakers and stakeholders for the Bluefin Futures Symposium in Monterey. Together, this diverse group of experts explored opportunities for international collaboration with a common goal: healthy and sustainable wild bluefin tuna populations across the world’s ocean. The future of bluefin tunas is in the hands of the global community. It depends on our collective ability to work together across sectors — including scientists, governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations — to improve fisheries management and rebuild bluefin tuna populations to sustainable levels. Nearly 200 experts, representing every region where bluefin tunas are found, came to Monterey to participate in this unique forum. “This symposium has filled a clear need for a time and a place where we can have open discussion and inform each other about techniques and strategies that link official science and management decisions with key academics, experts and stakeholders,” said Margaret Spring, the Aquarium’s Chief Conservation Officer and Vice President of Conservation and Science. The symposium’s first day featured scientific experts from around the world, presenting their latest research on all three bluefin species—Atlantic, Pacific and southern. On the second day, discussions turned to best management practices, exploring how fisheries managers and scientists can work together. Day three focused on key challenges and opportunities, including breakthroughs in bluefin aquaculture, the economics of the tuna trade, and the potential impacts of climate change on bluefin populations. Read our news release to learn more about the big questions tackled at the symposium. Featured photo: Bluefin tuna art, on display at the symposium, celebrates the beauty and bling of these powerful ocean predators.