STATUS REPORT: ATLANTIC YELLOWFIN TUNA 



by 



Atil 10 L. Coan, Jr. 



Southwest Fisheries Center 



Oceanic Fisheries Resources Division 



La Jolla, California 



ABSTRACT 



The status of Atlantic yellowfin tuna stocks remained unchanged from 

 1979 to 1980. Production model analyses indicate that the stocks are being 

 fished at high levels, especially in the eastern Atlantic. Increase in 

 fishing effort with the fishery operating within its present geographical 

 boundaries is unlikely to produce substantial gains in yield. 



In 1973, a minimum size regulation was adopted for Atlantic yellowfin 

 tuna to decrease fishing mortality on small fish and to increase yield-per- 

 recruit (YPR). Analyses indicate that a slight increase in YPR has 

 occurred for some fisheries since the adoption of the regulation. These 

 gains may be less than predicted due to discarding of undersized fish. 



Estimates of recruitment to the Atlantic yellowfin fishery have held 

 relatively constant. Based upon these assessments, Atlantic yellowfin tuna 

 stocks should be carefully monitored. 



