Euronews OCEAN Season 7, Episode 9 - EU Tuna recovery

Once a symbol of overfishing, bluefin tuna is now regarded as one of the Mediterranean's greatest recovery stories.

This episode of Ocean takes us to Sète, France, where IFREMER scientists are working on EU-funded projects to study the recovery of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Onboard small fishing vessels, researchers attach electronic tags to the fish to track their migrations, while aerial surveys help estimate population changes across the Mediterranean. Together, these methods provide the scientific data that underpins international quotas and ensures that bluefin fishing remains sustainable.

The episode also highlights the perspective of local fishers and their representatives at SaThoAn, a major fishing cooperative, who have seen firsthand how strict controls, reduced fleets, and rigorous inspections helped bring the species back from near collapse. Both scientists and fishers agree that continued vigilance and strong regulation remain essential to prevent a return to the excesses of the past.

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OCEAN is a Euronews magazine in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE). It features monthly 8-minute videos, where we discover fascinating projects and developments related to the ocean and coastal communities.

Broadcast since 2019, OCEAN features episodes on marine protected areas, small-scale fisheries, ocean energy, aquaculture, IUU fishing, sustainable fisheries and much more. Missed one? Check them out on the Euronews website! You will also find some nice extras about these topics.

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