A new report, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: Caught, Caged and Under Threat, by Compassion in World Farming, raises concerns about the rapid expansion of Atlantic bluefin tuna farming and its implications for marine ecosystems, food security, and animal welfare.

Unlike most farmed fish species, Atlantic bluefin tuna farming relies on capturing wild tuna and confining them in sea cages where they are fattened for high-value sushi and sashimi markets. According to the report, the number of licensed tuna farms has increased from 13 in 2006 to 123 in 2026, while the number of tuna held in farms has risen from around 55,000 fish in 2003 to as many as one million annually in 2024.

The report argues that Atlantic bluefin tuna are fundamentally unsuited to farming. In the wild they are highly active, migratory animals capable of travelling vast distances each day. New footage released alongside the report highlights welfare concerns including confinement, skin erosion, fin injuries and eye damage in farmed tuna.

The report also raises concerns about the industry's dependence on wild-caught fish. It estimates that producing 200 kilograms of edible tuna may require up to 3,000 kilograms of smaller wild fish as feed, prompting questions about efficiency, sustainability and food security.

Compassion is calling for an immediate international moratorium on new or expanded Atlantic bluefin tuna farms, improved transparency and monitoring of the industry, welfare assessments before new permits are granted, and greater support for lower-impact forms of aquaculture.

The findings contribute to a broader international discussion about the future of aquaculture and the role different production systems can play in delivering sustainable, nutritious food while protecting biodiversity and marine ecosystems. As governments and international organisations increasingly focus on transforming food systems, questions surrounding the environmental, social and welfare implications of farming large carnivorous species need urgent attention.

New Report Highlights Concerns Over Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Farming