Juvenile Bluefin Tuna Found in Northern East Sea off Gangwon Province

[The Financial News] Juvenile bluefin tuna larvae have been observed for the first time in waters of the East Sea off northern Gangwon Province.
The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) announced on the 31st that it has been conducting a comprehensive fisheries science survey since 2023 in coastal waters off Hyeonnae-myeon in Goseong County, Gangwon Province. DNA analysis of tuna larvae collected in the second half of last year confirmed that three of the specimens were bluefin tuna.
In the East Sea, bluefin tuna eggs and larvae were first identified in 2021 in waters near Ulleungdo Island and the Liancourt Rocks, and their occurrence has continued to increase. The number of eggs and larvae found rose from 16 in 2021 to 250 last year.
Catches have also surged. Bluefin tuna landings were negligible from 2006 for about five years, but began to rise to 1.6 tons in 2011. From 2021 through last year, the total catch jumped to 252.1 tons.
Bluefin tuna were mainly caught in the warmer summer and autumn months. However, due to the recent rise in average annual sea temperatures, they are now also caught in winter and spring, and are observed throughout the year. Kwon Soon-wook, head of the National Institute of Fisheries Science, said, "The appearance of bluefin tuna larvae this time is an important signal of changes in the distribution of fishery resources caused by rising sea temperatures in the East Sea," adding, "We will strengthen research to systematically manage bluefin tuna stocks and utilize them as a high value-added resource."

huni@fnnews.com Baek Chang-hoon Reporter