Pacific Bluefin Tuna in California

“Pacific b luefin tuna range throughout the northern Pacific ocean, although they are occasionally found in the south Pacific. In the eastern North Pacific Ocean, fish are taken from Shelikof Strait, Alaska to Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Most of the U.S. catch of Pacific bluefin tuna is within 100 nautical miles of the California coast. Although it is primarily a temperate water species, it also ranges into tropical waters. There are records of this species from New Zealand and French Polynesia. However, more information is needed about their distribution in these areas, and there is no evidence of spawning there.”

“Pelagic, open ocean. Pacific b luefin tuna are an epipelagic and oceanic species, but seasonally come close to shore. Bluefin tolerate wide temperature ranges and forms schools by size, sometimes with other tunas and mackerels. It is found to depths of 550 meters (1,800 feet). Pacific bluefin tuna are seasonal visitors to California waters. They usually appear in May and depart by October. Since they are temperate tunas, their availability to anglers depends on water temperatures in the 16.5° to 20° Celsius (62° to 68° Fahrenheit) range.”