Blue fin tuna conservation in the Mediterranean sea : landings and genetic assessment in the Central-Southern Mediterranean

Abstract

Tuna has been caught in the Maltese Islands with traps since 1748 reaching a stable usage around 1948, however this fishing method was finally replaced by long-line, initially as a by-catch in the swordfish fisheries prior to focusing on the blue fin tuna long-lining in 1995 when the Japanese opened the doors to Blue fin tuna trade caught by the Maltese. Thus looking back at historic data with changing efforts and gear may not be the only single method to understand the causes for Bluefin tuna decline in certain regions, where a variety of environmental and fishing gear changes leading to fishing intensification has been taking place.