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Bigeye Tuna

The Bigeye Tuna is a commercially captured fish that also happens to be the most threatened of all the Tuna species. They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and appear on several "do not eat" red lists, including the one put out by Greenpeace.

Bigeye Tuna are found in the tropical and temperate oceans of the world. They are large fish, able to grow as long as 6ft and weighing several hundred pounds.

These particular fish are named for their unusually large eyes (compared to other Tuna). They also have deeper bodies than their closest relative, the Yellowtail. Interestingly, but the Bigeye and Yellowtail are referred to as "Ahi."

Overfishing is the biggest threat to the Bigeye Tuna. And lower Tuna numbers affect more than just the fishermen hunting them. Because these fish are so large, they serve as powerful predators in the food chain, and without them the natural balance is thrown off.

IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : Tropical and Temperate Oceans
Size : Length up to 6.6ft (2m), Weight up to 400lbs (180kg)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Actinopterygii -- Order : Perciformes
Family : Scombridae -- Genus : Thunnus -- Species : T. obesus
Image :  Robbie Cada

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