Tuna is a highly migratory species that can travel through thousands of miles of ocean throughout its life and is fished in diverse regions around the globe. More
than 70 countries worldwide fish for tuna, including major fishing nations such as the United States, Japan and Spain as well as states as diverse as Ecuador, France, Ghana, the Philippines and the smallest island nation in the world, Nauru. The state of Hawaii is home of one of the largest fish auctions in the world. One of the largest exports of this auction is what the Hawaiian’s refer to as “Ahi” which is tuna. Hawaiian Ahi has gained a reputation as being one of the world’s best tuna eating experiences, especially when eaten raw at the “sashimi grade”
Although tuna is found in all major bodies of oceanic water except the polar seas, the majority of the global tuna supply comes from the Pacific Ocean – which accounts for 2.3 million tons or about 66 percent of the total world catch. The rest of the commercial tuna sold around the world comes from the Indian Ocean (20.7 percent), the Atlantic Ocean (12.5 percent) and the Mediterranean and Black Seas (0.8 percent).
In Hawaii, “Ahi” refers to two species, the Yellowfin and Big Eye tunas. The Yellowfin has a smaller profile than the Big Eye tuna, with distinctive soft dorsal and anal fins and finlets that are bright yellow. The dorsal and anal fins tend to lengthen with age. Smaller Yellowfin are also called “shibi” in Hawaii.
Ahi is caught year-round in Hawaii’s waters, yellowfin tuna is usually most abundant during the summer season. Commodity Forwarders is committed to servicing our fish exporters in Hawaii to ensure great arrivals nationwide and worldwide to allow people across the globe to take part in this unique tuna experience the islands hold dear to their diets.
