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28 Phonebox Magazine | May 2025Tuna is an important food commodity, but it faces many challenges. It%u2019s a popular fi sh that makes a variety of wonderful dishes and is enjoyed all over the world. But increasing demand leads to overfi shing. Estimates predict that, by 2027, the canned tuna market could be wor th $11.89 b i l l i o n ( %u00a3 8 . 9 9 billion).Industry estimates show that nearly a quarter of tuna stocks are being overfi shed. Separately, the catching of tuna can lead to other problems %u2013 some fi shermen%u2019s gear can entangle seabirds, sharks and marine mammals such as dolphins. World Tuna Day aims to highlight these issues and encourage fisheries to be more responsible. Already, more than half of the global tuna catch is now certifi ed as sustainable or at least working towards that goal. And many fi sheries have signed up for fi sheries improvement projects (FIPs) that help them fi nd a way towards sustainability, says the Marine Stewardship Council.In the meantime, you can support the work of campaigners by cooking sustainable tuna not only on World Tuna Day but right through the year. Most fi sh cans and other packaging will tell you whether the catch is from a sustainable source and by using those, you are helping to keep tuna stocks at manageable levels.Tuna facts%u2022 There are fi ve main types of tuna%u2022 They are: Skipjack, Albacore, Yellowfi n, Bluefi n, Bigeye%u2022 Skipjack tuna is the smallest and most abundant%u2022 Yellowfi n tuna can grow to more than two metres and weigh 200kg%u2022 Almost half of tuna is caught in the Western Central Pacifi c Ocean%u2022 The biggest tuna ever caught was off Nova Scotia in 1979. It was a 12-foot Atlantic Bluefi n, weighing 679kg (1,497lb)%u2022 For a tuna to gain 1kg in weight it needs to eat around 10kg of mid-size fi sh or 100kg of small fi sh%u2022 An adult female Tropical Skipjack can spawn as many as 2 million eggs a day World Tuna Day is celebrated this year on 2nd May. Each year campaigners use the notable day to raise awareness about ending overfi shing and safeguarding tuna supplies for the future.Name That Tuna!Simple tuna steaksIngredients (for two people)%u2022 2 tuna steaks (6-8 oz)%u2022 2 tbsp olive oil %u2022 2 tbsp butter%u2022 1 fresh lemon%u2022 8 oz chopped fresh parsley or 4 oz dried %u2022 1/2 tbsp dried dill MethodWarm up a skillet at medium heat the olive oil and butter.Place tuna steaks in a bowl and add the lemon juice and parsley.Turn and toss a couple of times to get them coated then lay them in the skillet and add in the juice and parsley from the bowl.Cook to taste %u2013 they can be eaten soft and almost raw but can also take more hear to become fi rmer and meatier.Plate up with the juices from the pan and serve with saut%u00e9 or chipped potatoes and a lemon wedge.