World Tuna Day [May 2]: Importance, Theme

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Apr 5, 2023, 16:19

World Tuna Day, observed on May 2, is dedicated to one of the most eaten fishes in the world, tuna. This day is recognised by the United Nations, which raises awareness about tuna management and conservation. World Tuna Day was first celebrated in 2016, after the United Nations alarmed the world about the deteriorating quality and quantity of tuna.

Tuna makes up for about 8 per cent of the world’s traded seafood but tuna stocks are diminishing because of problems such as overfishing. In this article, we have shared more about World Tuna Day and how it aims to unite people together in conserving tuna.

World Tuna Day 2023

World Tuna Day is an occasion to stop and reflect on whether your tuna is sustainable or not. Tuna is among the most overfished species and their population is decreasing rapidly. In an attempt to raise awareness about this issue, the United Nations established World Tuna Day in 2016.

Tuna fisheries are a source of livelihood for many people and drive the economic growth of several countries worldwide. World Tuna Day is a reminder to all that a significant decrease in tuna population would mean loss of livelihood for many.

Day

World Tuna Day

Observed

May 2 (every year)

Established by

United Nations

Established in

2016

First celebrated

2017

Aim

To raise awareness about tuna overfishing and promote the idea of tuna conservation and sustainable fishing

World Tuna Day 2023 Theme

The theme of World Tuna Day 2023 is yet to be announced. The theme for the day generally revolves around the topics of tuna conservation and sustainable fishing. World Tuna Day aims to raise awareness among people of the deteriorating tuna population in the world and also its possible consequences.

In fact, tuna falls under the endangered category. Organisation such as World Wildlife Fund and United Nations aim to preserve this species through initiatives like World Tuna Day.

World Tuna Day - History

The history of World Tuna Day can be traced to 2016, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the day. The purpose of this was to throw light on the issue of tuna overfishing. Here are more details about the history of World Tuna Day.

  • This day was celebrated first on May 2, 2017.
  • The United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution 71/124 to establish Tuna Day.
  • Through World Tuna Day, the United Nations aims to send a message of uniting people in preserving tuna and sourcing it sustainably.

World Tuna Day - Significance

It is important to observe World Tuna Day because it raises awareness about the threat that the tuna population is under. Here are all the reasons why observing this day is so significant;

  • Tuna fisheries are a source of livelihood for many people in the world.
  • Extinction of tuna will result in the loss of livelihood for a significant number of people.
  • It will also impact the GDP of many countries.
  • World Tuna Day not only raises awareness about tuna, but is also a day to express your love for the fish.
  • We must work together to preserve this species to ensure that countries dependent on tuna fishing don’t get negatively affected.

How to Celebrate World Tuna Day?

World Tuna Day can be a great occasion to gain and spread some knowledge about this fish species. Here are some ideas on how you can observe this day.

  • Read about the top threats that tuna fishes face and why they need to be conserved.
  • Share your knowledge with others on social media to spread the message about World Tuna Day.
  • Encourage people to join the online campaign and discussion about tuna preservation.
  • Read about countries such as Thailand that are heavily dependent on tuna fishing for their economic growth.
  • World Tuna Day is also the perfect time to enjoy a good preparation of tuna with family and friends.

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FAQs on World Tuna Day

Q1. When is World Tuna Day celebrated?

World Tuna Day is celebrated on May 2 every year to raise awareness about the threats that the tuna species are facing. Tuna Day was established by the United Nations to educate people on the importance of tuna, especially for countries heavily dependent on fishing.

Q2. What is the theme for World Tuna Day 2023?

World Tuna Day 2023 theme is going to be around the importance of tuna conservation and what neglecting tuna overfishing could mean for the livelihood of millions of people. There is a new theme for World Tuna Day every year and it is decided by the United Nations.

Q3. Why is World Tuna Day celebrated?

World Tuna Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the decreasing population of tuna fishes. Tuna is among the most loved fish types in the world and is enjoyed by people in various forms. World Tuna Day aims to encourage people to put in efforts to preserve this species.

Q4. What is the history of World Tuna Day?

World Tuna Day was established in 2016 by the United Nations. After realizing that the tuna population was under threat, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 71/124 to establish this day. Since then, World Tuna Day is celebrated on May 2 every year.

Q5. World Tuna Day started in which year?

World Tuna Day started in the year 2017. This day was officially declared in 2016 by the United Nations. Since 2017, all United Nations member states have been celebrating this day. World Tuna Day is a call to action for people who overfish tuna.

Q6. How to celebrate World Tuna Day?

Celebrate World Tuna Day by participating in the online campaign set by the United Nations. You can also encourage people to participate in the celebrations. Also, World Tuna Day is the right occasion to raise awareness about the threats that tunas face.