Tuna being an important commercial fish is a saltwater finfish that belongs to the tribe Thunnini, a sub-grouping of the mackerel family (Scombridae), which together with tuna also includes the bonitos, mackerels, and Spanish mackerels.
The detailed scientific report by International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) states that most important species for commercial and recreational tuna fisheries are yellow fin, bigeye, blue fin and albacore.
This fish belongs to a diverse family, but delicious tuna is one of the most desired fish and is enjoyed all over the world in different dishes. Those suffering from obesity can opt for tuna fish, which helps in weight loss. Tuna, which is widely available, is often considered as one of the ideal placement for meat products, being touted to be healthy.
When one talks about the benefits of tuna, it is a heavyweight – from being a great stimulant for growth and development, lowering blood pressure and increasing energy to preventing cancer and balancing cholesterol level, the list goes on.
Usually, restaurants tend to buy large-sized fish, which not only has lived longer but has accumulated toxins and mercury from the ocean over its lifespan. One study from the U.S. Geological Survey found that tuna contained fairly high amounts of mercury, confirming that eating restaurant tuna is a risky proposition and should be considered while ordering food.
A study done by nonprofit ocean protection group Oceana, took 1,215 samples of fish from across the United States and genetically tested them. Surprisingly, the result showed that 59% tuna sales in restaurant and grocery stores in the U.S are not even tuna. The results fared worst for sushi restaurants. Along with 84% of fish samples labeled “white tuna” were actually escolar, a fish that can cause problems like cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and other abdominal pains.
Oceana also reported, “Our government has a responsibility to provide more information about the fish sold in the U.S., as seafood fraud harms not only consumers’ wallets, but also every honest vendor and fisherman cheated in the process – to say nothing of the health of our oceans.”
