Worldwide: A tuna is a saltwater fish scientifically known as Thunnini. It is part of the mackerel family. Tunas migrate long distances over all the world’s oceans and occupy tropical, temperate, and calmer waters. Their unique body structure facilitates them to cruise through fast, up to 75 km/h.

 

 

They migrate across all oceans and can dive beyond 3,000 feet. Also, they have a life span of 3-5 years to even two decades. They are common in temperate and subtropical waters apart from black waters and the Mediterranean Sea.

 

All variants have similar health benefits. Tuna is enjoyed globally in a wide array of cuisines. Their global availability, nutrient value makes them an exceptional replacement for red meat. Asian Australian and European cuisines use Tuna fish liberally and develop culinary delights enjoyed by all.

 

Tuna is well known for its health benefits. So it’s added in the preparation of delicious dishes like steaks, salads, burgers etc. But, unfortunately, they are endangered as one hunts them for food and sports.

 

Varieties of Tuna

There are eight migratory species of Tuna. The most commonly known varieties of Tuna are the “light” tuna and white Tuna, aka skipjack and Albacore, respectively.

 

• Albacore
• Bigeye tuna
• Blackfin tuna
• Northern bluefin tuna
• Yellowfin tuna
• Southern bluefin tuna
• Skipjack
• Longtail tuna

 

Nutritional Properties of Tuna

Tuna is a commercially valued fish. It is one of the most popular and sought-after varieties of seafood globally due to its meaty flavour and nutritional value. In addition, Tuna is an immense source of vitamins and minerals.

 

One hundred grams of tuna contain:

• Calories-144 kcal
• Cholesterol-60 mg
• Total fat- 4.9g
• Protein- 23.3 g
• Sodium 47-mg
• Potassium-522 mg

Health Benefits of Tuna Fish

The Tuna is tasty and healthy. It is a rich source of protein and essential nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, it has no fat.

 

Tuna is a heart-healthy food. In addition, it is an excellent source of vitamin B12. Therefore, it is vital for DNA and RBC synthesis. Tuna has comprehensive health benefits. Let us evaluate them here.

 

1. Heart-healthy and Prevents Cardiac Disorders

According to a study, the extensive amount of omega-3 fatty acids in tuna fish reduces bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. This cholesterol deposits along the arteries of the heart and causes damage. Omega-3 enables the smooth functioning of pumping and circulation of blood across the body. Studies state that regular intake of omega-3 reduces the risks of cardiovascular disease.

 

2. Lowers Blood Pressure

Tuna has a good content of potassium which helps with the regulation of blood pressure. Potassium, along with Omega-3 fatty acids, induces an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it aids in lowering blood pressure, risk of stroke and heart attacks.

 

3. Lowers Triglycerides

According to research, the triglycerides in your blood are the unhealthy fat circulating in your body. They have a connection with LDL or bad cholesterol. The natural oil of Tuna elevates the HDL or good cholesterol to combat the harmful effects of triglyceride.

 

4. Strengthens your Immune System

Manganese, selenium, vitamin C and zinc are essential to improve immunity levels. Tuna fish is a great source of these micronutrients. Moreover, the antioxidants combat the free radicals to prevent infections and control metabolism at the cellular level.

 

5. Tuna Prevents Eye disorders

Another health benefit of Tuna is the omega-3, it sharpens your visual acuity and overall eye health. In addition, Omega-3 caters to overall retinal health. With age, macular degeneration disrupts your vision and results in blindness. The Omega-3 acids effectively interrupt this condition.

 

A study subjecting 40,000 health professionals proved that those who had the prescribed intake of Tuna observed 68% reduced dry eye symptoms.

 

6. Reduces Risk of Cancer

Tuna’s omega-3 fatty acids restrict the growth and multiplication of tumour cells. The antioxidants are anti-inflammatory and inhibit inflammation. In addition, they fight cancerous cells.

Antioxidants are vital because cancer has linkages with chronic inflammation. Therefore, regular consumption of the prescribed amount of Tuna reduces the risk of cancer.

 

 

7. Aids in Weight Management

As per a study, Tuna is lean meat. It is full of protein, nutrients and is low in calories and fat. It keeps you satiated for a long time. As a result, it prevents you from unhealthy snacking. Tuna balances calorie intake, thereby regulating weight.

 

8. Improves bone health

Tuna is a rich source of vitamin B and antioxidants.

 

Vitamin B strengthens bone and prevents fracture. In addition, the antioxidants prevent inflammatory diseases and bone resorption. As a result, daily intake ensures better bone health, another health benefit of tuna.

 

Tuna is also a good source of vitamin D. It may help to enhance the absorption of many essential minerals. It includes calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. These are vital for metabolism and other biological effects. It also reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

 

9. Improves Skin Health

As per research, tuna comprises a protein called elastin. It helps to maintain skin elasticity and a smooth skin tone. In addition, the Vitamin B complex in tuna helps to synthesise new healthy skin cells.

 

10. Provides Energy

The essential nutrients and vitamins in tuna help with the functionality and metabolism of your body. It helps to keep you energetic, active and healthy. Moreover, Tuna is a natural way to boost your immunity. 

 

11. Boosts Blood Circulation

Tuna is an excellent source of iron and vitamin B. Often, the circulatory system may clog down with fat deposits. In most cases, it’s due to unhealthy dietary habits.

 

Iron boosts blood circulation. Vitamin B is essential for red blood cell synthesis. In particular, Vitamin B3 may help improve blood circulation and lower bad cholesterol. In addition, B3 also lowers bad cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, Iron and Vitamin B contribute to the wellness of the circulatory system. Tuna is rich in both.

 

12. Antidepressant and Anti-Anxiety Properties

Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in your brain’s functions. Studies show omega-3 fatty acids may help cure depression. Regular intake of Tuna proves more effective than antidepressants. This study broke people into the Placebo group, Prozac, and Tuna groups. The highest reduction in stress was in the tuna group.

 

Selenium is another nutrient in Tuna which controls mood. Research shows that selenium deficiency triggers anxiety and omega-3 acids also improve your psychological balance.

 

13. Diabetes Management by Tuna

Tuna is free of carbohydrates. It is laden with essential nutrients for diabetes management. Alongside, the omega-3 acids and the antioxidants control the insulin levels. It boosts insulin response. Therefore, we recommend dietary intake of tuna twice per week.

 

14. Brain development and Nervous System

The omega -3 acids in tuna meat play an essential role in boosting brain functions. It happens when oxygenated blood in a clean bloodstream circulates in the brain. The omega-3 acids help reduce the fat accumulation in blood vessels, allowing smooth blood flow. It also boosts memory and reduces memory disorders in Alzheimer’s.

 

12. Inhibits Risk of Dementia

Strokes and vascular brain injuries alter your cognitive function and memory. A balanced intake of omega-3 fatty acids may inhibit the progression of dementia. They, along with antioxidants, hinder the inflammatory changes at the cellular level. As a result, it lowers the risk of impaired vascular cognitive function and symptoms of dementia.

 

13. Inhibits cell damage

Proteins in Tuna are simplified into peptides. These peptides help cell membranes improve cellular-level metabolism. As a result, it helps regulate the structure and function of your body’s tissues and organs. Tuna is an excellent source of protein and hence it helps to prevent cell damage.

14. Anti-inflammatory

 

The vital nutrients and antioxidants contain anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the minerals and good cholesterol or HDL, in tuna, improve the efficiency of essential nutrients. Therefore, this results in healthy body function and the prevention of inflammatory arthritic disorder.

 

15. Helps Prevent Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition when the body lacks enough red blood cells to transport oxygen. Some of its symptoms are muscle weakness, blurred vision, fatigue. It can be a result of a deficiency of folate, Vitamin B12, and iron. Tuna is a rich source of these nutrients and hence may prove helpful to reverse this condition.

Now you have enough reasons to make Tuna a part of your daily diet, to be healthier.

Source: https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/tuna-fish/

WORLDWIDE: The fish are guided to platforms by divers for harvesting. They are euthanised humanely, by an immediate spike into their brain. This method is known as “iki jime” in Japanese. It is a technique that minimises stress as lactic acid in their system that can change their flavour. It takes approximately 40 seconds to get the fish into an ice slurry or refrigerated sea water, which keeps quality at a premium. On board the tuna harvest boats are representatives of Japanese companies who scrutinise the product before export. They look for good shaped fish that have suffered no damage in the harvesting process. A segment is taken from the tail to determine quality.  A strong, deep red colour and good fat deposits are considered extremely favourable.

Quality and colour of SBT muscle flesh is assessed 3 times prior to the sale of a fish. Tuna may be purchased frozen or fresh.

Tuna Filleting or Loining

There are many parts to the perfect fish – the prized toro or belly section, akami along the backbone and the kama or neck area. Japanese chef Yumiko Asao cuts at an angle along the grain, using the toro and the jewel like akami sections of the fish for juicy, melting pieces of Australian sashimi.

 

 

Southern Bluefin Tuna will be in the markets in Japan within 48 hours of harvesting and processing.

Source: https://asbtia.com.au/tuna-products/tuna-processing

Worldwide: Seven members of the seafood industry and seven NGOs are calling upon the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to better protect the fisher’s welfare on wild-caught vessels by improving data collection and analysis of labor-related accidents.

Three major tuna processors, the Bolton Group, Bumble Bee, and Tri-Marine, along with seafood industry groups of Fedespesca, SEA Alliance, and the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition have signed the call to action, which includes asking for a mechanism to gather better data and reduce fisher morality. The NGOs involved in the campaign are Earthworm, ADM Capital Foundation, ClientEarth, the Fishing Industry Association Papua New Guinea (FIA PNG), Friend of the Sea, FishWise, the Global Seafood Alliance, and the Teng Hoi Conservation Organization.

Many of the signed organizations are already advocating for ratification and implementation of key international agreements to improve fisher safety and welfare. These include the IMO Cape Town Agreement, the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, the FAO Port State Measures Agreement, and the International Convention on Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessels Personnel.

“For decades, the scientific community, NGOs, governments, and global stakeholders have focused their efforts and care on tuna stocks and their health status. It is time to recognize the importance of the human factor in fisheries and that fisheries cannot exist without people," FIA PNG Sustainability Director Marcelo Hidalgo said in a press release. "Our tuna fleet in PNG cares about the safety and welfare of our crew and skippers. Since 2019, we have increased assessment and improvement of the decent working and living onboard our fishing vessels aligned with ILO 188 and FISH Standard for Crew, as a private-sector initiative. It is time that FAO and regulators, such as the regional fisheries management organizations, also request this to global fisheries."

he organizations involved in the campaign called on the FAO to “support the development of a mechanism that can establish a data collection scheme and repository on global fisher accident and mortality rates.”

Previous research by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1999 and later by the FAO, found annual fisher deaths in the region of 24,000 and 32,000 respectively, or 65 and 87 deaths per day. With the 35th Session of the Committee on Fisheries of the FAO, it was highlighted that new research suggests the number of fatalities within the fishing sector to be greater than 100,000 annually. This research will soon be published by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Lloyds Register Foundation, IMO, FISH Safety Foundation, and FAO, with contributions from many FAO members. The high mortality rate may be a result of climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities that push fishing vessels into unsafe waters, according to the groups. Also, insufficient oversight of vessel construction and operations is a driver towards a higher mortality rate, they said.

“Fishers around the world play a critical role in supporting food security, livelihoods, and sustainable fisheries management. Ensuring that they can carry out their work safely should be a priority for every business involved in the seafood supply chain. We strongly support the creation of a mechanism to improve information on accidents and fatalities at a global level, so that we can improve visibility and understanding of the risks fishers face, and make sure resources are targeted effectively,” New England Seafood Head of Social Responsibility Amber Madley, who also serves as the advocacy lead for the SEA Alliance.

The organizations involved in the campaing "are committed to ensuring the seafood bought and sold is sourced from responsible producers who do not engage in activities that expose fishers to unsafe and harmful working conditions."

"We believe it is critically important to improve data collection and analysis of accidents and loss of life incidents in the seafood industry," they said. "This has the aim to understand the drivers behind the high fatality rates and ensure the correct safety initiatives are being developed and implemented from robust data."

Source: Seafood Source