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Saving the world's most expensive fish, the sushi delicacy threatened by climate change

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the BBC News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Once near extinction due to overfishing, bluefin tuna populations have rebounded significantly thanks to stricter fishing quotas
However, climate change is now threatening these fish, altering their migration and breeding patterns
Rising ocean temperatures are pushing bluefin tuna into cooler waters, disrupting ecosystems and traditional fishing practices

🔭 The context: Bluefin tuna are prized for sushi, making them the most valuable fish globally, with some selling for millions at auction
Conservation efforts since the 2010s, such as regulated fishing quotas, have helped populations recover, with Atlantic bluefin no longer listed as "endangered."
However, studies show increasing temperatures in the Mediterranean could force juvenile tuna to shift their nursery areas, impacting marine ecosystems and fisheries

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As apex predators, bluefin tuna play a vital role in marine ecosystems
Changes in their migration and spawning patterns could disrupt food chains and harm fishing communities that rely on them for income
Adapting sustainable fishing practices to climate shifts is critical to maintaining marine biodiversity and global food security

⏭️ What's next: Scientists urge better monitoring and adaptive fishing regulations to address shifting tuna distributions
Communities dependent on tuna must innovate to cope with unpredictable migration
Experts stress that long-term sustainability requires balancing ecological conservation with economic needs

💬 One quote: “We are on a path to recovery. We’ve just got to make sure that this isn’t scuppered by the next problem down the line.” – Clive Trueman, Professor of Geochemical Ecology

📈 One stat: The Mediterranean's surface temperature hit a record 28.45°C (83.21°F) in August 2024, surpassing the threshold of 28°C that negatively affects juvenile bluefin tuna

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change

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