Ahi bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)

Bigeye tuna is one of two primarily by longline boats which is shipped by air freight usually in species known in Hawaii simply set hooks at the deep swimming dressed (headed and gutted) form as ahi. Similar in general appear- depths of this species. or as loins. Most of the handline ance to yellowfin tuna (the other Adult bigeye tuna are the deepest oc- catch is sold to wholesalers in Hilo species known as ahi), the bigeye curring of all tuna species. Deep-set on the island of Hawaii. Virtually all tuna is recognized by its plump longline fishing gear is set from 150 bigeye tuna in Hawaii is sold fresh. body, its larger head and its large to 1000 ft depth to catch bigeye tuna. eyes. Smaller bigeye (20-30 pounds) may Quality be encountered in shallower waters Seasonality & How in the vicinity of seamounts or float- Caught in deeper, colder water, big- They Are Caught ing objects, including fish aggrega- eye tuna typically has a higher fat tion buoys. content than yellowfin tuna. Availability and Seasonality: Bigeye tuna is also caught in the In Hawaii and Japan, bigeye is gen- Bigeye tuna is the most important handline fishery focused on fishing erally preferred over yellowfin by tuna species caught by Hawaii’s near seamounts off the island of Ha- more discriminating sashimi buy- longline fleet. waii. This species is rarely caught by ers. Bigeye tuna has a longer shelf Fishing ranges to as far as 800 nau- trollers. life than yellowfin tuna, and the tical miles from port. Hawaii bigeye natural red flesh color is slower to Distribution: tuna landings occur year round with oxidize to brown. a peak during the winter season The longline catch of bigeye tuna is Some longline boats which catch (October-April). marketed primarily through the Ho- bigeye tuna remain at sea for up to nolulu fish auction. Fishing Methods: 12-16 days, but with proper care, If marketed outside of Hawaii, it these fish will retain a high quality Bigeye tuna is harvested in Hawaii for over two weeks after capture. Color, Taste, Texture: Bigeye tuna with a high fat content Handline-caught bigeye is more Bigeye tuna of good quality has are especially sought after for sashi- variable in quality due to the mi and sushi well to a variety of preparations. When exposed to air, bigeye tuna

Product Forms and Yields: Historical Note Bigeye tuna landed in Hawaii range Larger bigeye typically have a higher Bigeye tuna is the second most re- from 20 to over 200 pounds in fat content than smaller bigeye, but vered tuna species for sashimi and round weight. sushi may be rich in fat. But not all markets in Japan share sashimi market for their typically Preparations: this preference. Some prefer yellow- deeper red color, higher fat content Bigeye tuna is one of the preferred and greater yields. species for raw preparations. meat sashimi over red colored tuna. also be used for sashimi. Fresh bigeye may be sold already prepared as sashimi, and it is also marketed as loins, loin sections, sashimi - ter service or self-service counters. ahi varies from 55-65%, depending on

Hawaii Seafood Council Acknowledgement: produced with support from NOAA www.hawaii-seafood.org