Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obsus) in the Atlantic Ocean: stock recovery, challenges, FAD fisheries and prospects for Russia

Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is one of the key targets of tropical fishing. The article analyzes the current state of the Atlantic stock based on data from ICCAT (2025–2026) and ISSF (2026). The stock is recovering: the ratio of spawning biomass to SSBMSY is 1.22, and the fishing mortality is 0.59 of FMSY. The stock status is stable (“green zone”). The estimated MSY is 86,000 tons; the actual catch in 2024 was 55,000 tons; the TAC for 2025 has been set at 73,000 tons. The main problem is the high catch of juveniles in purse-seine fishing using floating fish attractants (FADs), which leads to a decline in population productivity. A strategy has been proposed for Russia: to develop longline fishing, cooperate with African states, and strengthen scientific participation in ICCAT.