World Tuna Day

Tuna is a large fish. It can reach length of 6.5 feet and weight of up to 550 pounds. Bluefin can swim up to 35 mph in short bursts. Tuna is able to change the position of its dorsal and pectoral fins to reduce drag and accelerate the swimming speed. Largest (ever recorded) specimen of tuna was 21 feet long, weighing 1600 pounds. The largest Bluefin tuna ever caught with a rod and reel was off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1979. The record fish weighed 1,496 pounds. Tuna can swim near the surface or can dive to the depth of 3000 feet while it searches for food. Average life span of tuna is between 15 and 30 years in the wild. Small percent of tuna managed to survive until this period.

Color of the body provides excellent camouflage in the water. Dorsal (back) side of tuna’s body is dark blue and it blends with the ocean floor when observed from the air. Belly of tuna is silver-white and it blends with the surface of the ocean when observed from bellow.

Reaffirming its resolutions 53/199 of 15 December 1998 and 61/185 of 20 December 2006 on the proclamation of international years and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 on international years and anniversaries...

Decides to designate 2 May as World Tuna Day.

Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, to observe World Tuna Day in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national priorities, in order to raise awareness of the value of tuna, the threats facing tuna populations and the economic and social benefits of sustainably managed tuna stocks, and to share best practices in this regard Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2016

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2016 (71/124)

Source: un.org | uwlax.edu