Warning signs

In 2011, Atlantic bluefin tuna were classified as endangered. Although populations have since recovered, our report uncovers warning signs that the expansion of this industry, with a lack of reliable data, could be contributing to a potential population crisis for the wild species – just years after it bounced back from endangered status.

A booming industry

We reveal that the number of licensed Atlantic bluefin tuna farms has boomed over the past two decades increasing from 13 in 2006, to 123 in 2026. And from 2003, the number of tuna farmed each year has risen from up to 55,000 animals to a whopping one million in 2024.

What’s worse, we’ve found there’s a lack of crucial data on catches, production, and trade – making it difficult to understand the true scale of the industry’s expansion.

Draining our oceans

As carnivorous animals, Atlantic bluefin tuna require huge quantities of wild-caught fish as feed. Our report finds that a single farmed tuna producing just 200kg of meat could consume up to 3,000kg of smaller fish. That's a whopping 33,000 sardines, or 166,000 anchovies.

These smaller, wild fish are crucial for marine ecosystems, and provide food and livelihoods for coastal communities in North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

This harmful industry is being subsidised by taxpayers - over €64 million has supported tuna farming over recent decades.

Dr Elena Lara, our Senior Research and Policy Advisor and report author, said:

Atlantic bluefin tuna are incredible underwater giants. In the wild, they can swim 260 kilometres every day – so it is completely cruel, unnatural, and unsustainable to confine them in sea cages.  

This destructive and unsustainable industry takes wild tuna from our oceans to fatten them on huge quantities of wild-caught fish – mainly to supply luxury sushi and sashimi markets. 

For too long, governments have failed to regulate a sector which is driving environmental harm and severe animal suffering. They must act now to stop tuna farming and commit to keeping tuna wild. 

So soon after the species recovered from endangered status, we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Farming boom could put wild tuna at risk