YELLOWFIN TUNA
THE YELLOWFIN TUNA FISH
Fish Scientific Name: Thunnus albacares
Japanese Name: Kihada
Hawaiian Name: Ahi
Weight: Up to approximately 180kg
The Yellowfin Tuna – One of the toughest infamous fighting fish of the Western Cape, South Africa. The mighty Yellowfin Tuna, are mostly found off the Southern Cape Coast of South Africa during warmer summer months, although still caught during cooler months.
They are easily recognisable by their colours (mostly brighter shades of yellow and blue) standing out, shape and long sickles on their anal and dorsal sides of their body.
Yellowfin tuna usually travel in schools with similarly sized fish of the same species. They do sometimes school with other tuna fish species and smaller mixed schools yellowfin tuna and regularly with the skipjack tuna in the mix.
Weather patters, ocean currents, wind, water clarity, availability of baitfish and ocean temperatures determine where the Yellowfin Tuna swim and for how long. They can generally be found between 20 – 50 nautical miles off shore.
SUSTAINABILITY
Current status: The Yellowfin Tuna are being fished sustainably. Overfishing is currently not occurring in the Western Cape Waters off South Africa.
NUTRITION & HEALTH
The Yellowfin Tuna is an excellent healthy source of extra lean protein. This fish is very low in saturated fat & sodium. Rich in niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium and phosphorus. It is a good source of iodine and magnesium. It provides about a healthy amount of omega-3’s (DHA and EPA).
DIET
The Yellowfin Tuna typically feeds of anchovies, sardines, squid, pelagic crustaceans, flying fish, even mackerel and other smaller species of baitfish.
TYPICAL FISHING METHODS
Yellowfin Tuna are caught by various fishing methods.
Commercial fishing methods catch yellowfin tuna with encircling nets (also known as purse seines) or by the use of industrial longlines.
Sports-fishing methods by means of trolling with various popular different types of rapala, squid rigs, an array of spreader bars, feather lures, poppers.
We fish for a variety of Tuna Species:
- Longfin Tuna
- Bigeye Tuna
- Skipjack Tuna
- Bluefin Tuna
- Slender Tuna
- Skipjack Tuna
