Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) are found in the tropical and subtropical areas of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Yellowfin reach intermediate sizes, between albacore and bigeye.
They form both free and associated schools, with adults generally forming schools of similarly sized individuals. The free-swimming schools tend to contain large individuals and are mono-specific. In the Eastern Pacific, schools are often associated with dolphin pods, which is not common elsewhere.
Yellowfin accounted for about 31% of the 5.1-million-tonne global tuna catch in 2021.
Species Characteristics
| Size (cm) | Weight (kg) | Age (yrs) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 40–170 | 1.2–100 | |
| Maximum | 205 | 194 | 18 |
| Maturity | 85–108 | 12–26 | 2–3 |
| Generation Length |
4–5 |
Geographic Limits
- From 45°–50° N and S, although in the Pacific Ocean they occur mainly from 20° North and South
Species Management
The following four yellowfin stocks are assessed and managed by the RFMOs:
- Atlantic Ocean
- Eastern Pacific
- Western Pacific
- Indian Ocean
RELATED RESOURCES
Yellowfin Stock Health & Catch Trends
Use our “Interactive Stock Status and Catch Tool” to visualize, download, and share data about yellowfin tuna:
- Stock health since 2011
- Current catch by fishing method
- Catch trends by fishing method since 1950
Tuna Conservation
Our research and advocacy work aims to ensure, on a global level, that tuna resources are well managed and protected from overfishing.
Tuna Stock Evaluations
An ISSF report uses the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) scoring system to evaluate both the health and RFMO management of 23 tuna stocks worldwide, including bluefin.
