The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), is a type of tuna. It is found in open waters of tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. It is an epipelagic fish ranging in the top 100 m (330 feet) of the water column. Reported sizes have ranged as high as 239 cm (94 inches) in length and 200 kg (440 lb) in weight. Also known as ahi tuna, from its Hawaiian name ahi, yellowfin is becoming a popular replacement for the severely depleted supplies of bluefin tuna.

The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are both bright yellow, thus the common name, and can be very long in mature specimens, as are the pectoral fins. The main body is very dark metallic blue, changing to silver on the belly, which has about 20 vertical lines.

Yellowfins tend to school with fishes of the same size, including other species of tuna, and larger fish are often seen with dolphins, porpoises, whales and whale sharks. Yellowfins eat other fish, crustaceans, and squid.

Commerce

Commercial fisheries catch yellowfin tuna with encircling nets (purse seines) and with longlines. The fish are mainly sold in frozen or canned form, but are also popular as sashimi.

Sport and food

Yellowfin tuna are a popular sport fish in many parts of their range and are prized for their speed and strength when fought on rod and reel as well as for their table qualities. Shane Boland holds the record for the biggest tuna caught.

Culinary uses

According to the Hawaii Seafood Buyers Guide 'Yellowfin tuna is widely used as raw fish dishes, especially sashimi. This fish is also excellent for grilling. Yellowfin is often served seared or rare.

Yellowfin buyers often recognize two grades, "Sashimi grade" and "other", although there are variations in the quality of "other" grades.

In terms of whether the yellowfin tuna fishing industry is sustainable, the jury is out. The Audobon's Seafood Guide (a guide for what types of marine food products are not eco-friendly) lists yellowfin tuna that have been troll-caught as "OK" but those that have been long-line caught as "Be Careful" (

References

• Listed as Least Concern (v2.3).