Thunnus+Thynnus

  __**Atlantic Bluefin Tuna**__   Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class:Actinopterygii Family:Scombridae Genus:Thunnus species:Thunnus thynnus  **Endangered Species**  The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is on the endangered species list, assessed in 1996. No justification found as to why the fish is on the list. Researchers say that their population has slowly been decreasing and the only theory they have found that has made sense is overfishing of this particular type of fish.

 **Description of Habitat**  Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are most commonly found in subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean, and Black seas. They are usually spotted between Newfoundland and Brazil in the western Atlantic and between Norway and northern West Africa in the eastern Atlantic. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are pleagic, which means that they tend to stay closer to the surface of the water rather than swim down to deeper parts.   **Physical Habitat Features**  The Atlantic Ocean has many different features. It has many different currents which can be seen in the image above such as the North Atlantic Current and the North Equatorial Current. The strongest current in the northen Atlantic is the warm Gulf Stream. The Atlantic is known for having relatively high tides compared to that of other oceans. The biggest difference between high tide and low tide was recorded at 60 feet at a location that bordered the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean is also home to the mid-atlantic ridge, where many volcanoes and underwater mountains are located. The temperature in the northern Atlantic Ocean ranges from the 40s to low 80s, a big dfference that the fish in that are must adapt to, or they move to an area of warmer water. The surface water of the Atlantic Ocean has a higher salinity than any other ocean. Salinity is highest in the north Atlantic at 35.5 parts per thousand and lowest in the southern Atlantic at 34.5 parts per thousand.

Researchers used to think that Atlantic Bluefin Tuna always stayed in the Northern Atlantic. They knew that the fish adapted well to changes in temperature so they figured the fish had no other reason to migrate to other locations. They have recently found out that the fish have been traveling through New England waters to lay their eggs. They have just recently discovered this and believe that the fish have just started doing this. They believe that only a small portion of the fish are doing this, and that the others are laying eggs where ever they see fit.
 * Migration**

Although scientists have not stated how many Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are still alive but they have said that there is a very good chance that there may no longer be any more of them after 2012. They blame it on the higher quotas in the fishing industry and accidental overfishing and bycatch.
 * Population**

Although many might not believe, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna's are actually reagarded as one of the most beautiful creatures of the sea. They are also known to be one of the most expensive. The highest price paid for one Atlantic Bluefin Tuna was $180,000 dollars. The word "tuna" comes from a greek word that means to "rush" and that description fits this animal perfectly because although they are large, they can travel at speeds in excess of 20 knots. The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is the biggest fish in the Scombridae family. They are commonly found in lengths ranging from .5-2 meters but there have been many sightings of these fish that were longer than 3 meters(10+ feet). When they are fully grown adults, they can weigh between 136-680 kg. Atlantic Bluefin Tunas colors range from dark blue to a deep black near the dorsal surface and more silver towards the ventral surface. This fish is known for the 12-15 spines that run along top and bottom near the anal fin. The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna usually lives for about thirty years, which is more than most other fish.   **Reproduction** Each year, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna return to their birthplace to reproduce. Western Bluefin Tuna tend to go to the Gulf of Mexico and Eastern Bluefin Tuna tend to go to the Mediterranean. The Tuna in the west start reproducing at around age 11--12 while tuna in the east start as early as age 5. The female Bluefin Tuna can produce more than 10 million eggs in a single spawning season. They have less than 30 offspring with a gestation period just under a month. The parents don't relly take care of their young to much, but they essentially "supervise" it to ensure its healthy and can find food and protect itself on its own.   -They have torpedo shaped bodies which aid in speed and endurance. -Their coloring aids in camoflauge(dark blue on top and silver on bottom. -Have an average weight of 550 lbs. -They are warm-blooded unlike most fish so they can comfortably swim in the waters near Iceland and Newfoundland. -Migratory fish(some have been recorded swimming from America to Europe several times a year) -They have crescent-shaped tails which can propel them to 43+ mph. -In order to reduce drag, they are able to retract their pectoral and dorsal fins. -Some scientists believe that the "finlets"(small fins) on their tails help decrease turbulence in the water. -They obtain food from a wid variety of sources, from filter-feeding zooplankton to swallowing large fish. -Main predator is the human. 
 * Physical Appearance**
 * Bluefin Tuna Anatomy**

<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Food** What eats the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna? -Humans are the largest predator of the Bluefin Tuna. The fish has become increasingly popular as a delicious form of food which has decreased their population. What does it eat? -The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna eats smaller fish, eels, squid and crustaceans. They have also been seen filter-feeding zooplankton and snacking on kelp. <span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Economic Importance** The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna has been one of the most eaten fish for many years. Its popularity has increased over the years. The price of the fish is much higher than that of most other fishes. The most paid for one of these amazing creatures was $180,000 in Japan at a fish market!

The big reason why the population is decreasing is because we are basically catching too many of these fish. They can not reproduce fast enough to match the amount we are consuming. Scientists believe they will be near extinction in the year 2012 and they blame it on overfishing and too much bycatch.
 * Reason for Endangerment**

Researchers have said that they need to learn more about these animals before they can form some sort of plan to start increasing their population again. They have been tagging hundreds of these fish to find out their migration patterns which has helped them form management policies for the fisheries. They hope that their efforts will help them find a perfect balance that will keep the fisheries happy but will get the fish off the endangered species list.
 * Conservation Efforts**

-I would immediately regulate the amount of bluefin tuna that fisherman are allowed to catch. -I would try to decrease the price of these fish to give fishermen less of an incesntive to go out and try to catch them. -I would limit fishing to only after the yearly spawning to give them a chance to have offspring. -I would try to convince consumers to have less of these fish in their diet which would decrease demand.
 * My Solutions**

1)**What is the average weight for a fully grown adult Atlantic Blufin Tuna?
 * Questions:
 * 2)**What was the price for the most expensive tuna sold and where?
 * 3)**What is the average age WESTERN Atlantic Bluefin Tuna's start reproducing?

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