Tuna Research and Conservation Center Established
September 1994
Our most extensive research collaboration ever begins with the dedication of the new Tuna Research and Conservation Center, a joint venture with Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station. The world-class center is the first facility ever dedicated to the study of adult tunas.
New knowledge about tuna life cycles and physiology will provide a stronger scientific basis for management of global tuna fisheries as well as help us maintain healthy tuna in our Outer Bay exhibit.
A Very Big Business
Giant tuna (Atlantic bluefins can grow up to 1500 pounds) are the keystone of a very lucrative business with a huge impact on many pelagic (open ocean) species. Increased demand and ineffective fishery management have left many tuna populations in danger of being fished beyond recovery. The
Tuna Research and Conservation Center perfects techniques to attach electronic tags to bluefin tunas so that scientists can track where the fish migrate and breed. Data from the ongoing research project prove vital in developing plans for the management of pelagic fisheries.
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