Bluefin Tuna

     Thunnus thynnus, or Bluefin Tuna, are one of the most majestic fish in the ocean. Their bodies are large, yet they are built for speed. The deep blue color on their backs and silver white on their stomachs helps the Bluefin camouflage  itself from predators (National Geographic 1). The Bluefin Tuna can grow to be very large, the world record is 1,496 pounds. While the world record Bluefin is huge, the average Bluefin is only 15 pounds. 
     Bluefin Tuna fishing is one of the hardest and challenging activities in the world. You will need knowledge, strength, and a little bit of luck to land one of these monsters. Trolling is your only option when fishing for Bluefin. If you are fishing for larger Bluefin you should use a kite or a balloon. Using a kite or balloon will help you for many reasons. First they work as a bobber, letting you know when you have a fish (Maluniu 1). Second the Bluefin will have to take the kite or balloon under water if it wants to swim away. This will cause the Bluefin to get tired quicker because the kite or balloon will try and float back to the top of the water (this technique was seen in the movie JAWS, only with giant barrels). 
     You will need a boat when fishing for Bluefin Tuna. Your boat should be able to carry you out at least 50 miles. It is recommended, for safety reasons, that you should not try and make the trip with a boat under 30 feet long (Maluniu 1). Bluefin, unlike many fish species, are warm blooded. This means that Bluefin are comfortable in cool water, and do not prefer to be in warm water like most fish (National Geographic 1). 
     Bluefin Tuna meat is very delicious and for this reason Bluefin are becoming extinct. Commercial fisherman are targeting and overfishing Bluefin Tuna. A 444 pound Bluefin was sold in the Japanese fish market for $173,600. When fishing for Bluefin have a limit, one or two is more than enough to feed your family and friends. Here is a recipe courtesy of "cdkitchen"


Ingredients:
2 cups fresh orange juice
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 cup red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 onion -- chopped
4 cloves garlic -- minced
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon whole mixed pickling spice
1 can tomato paste -- (6 ounce)
1/2 cup sugar
6 bluefin  tuna steaks -- 1" thick (6 ounces each)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions:

Whisk the orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, oil, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin, black pepper, pickling spice, tomato paste and sugar together in a bowl. Arrange the tuna steaks in a baking dish large enough to hold them in one layer. Pour the marinade over. Marinate, covered and chilled, overnight or up to 24 hours. Drain, reserving the marinade in a bowl. Grill on a lightly oiled rack set 3 to 4 inches over glowing coals for 3 minutes on each side. 

Return the tuna steaks to the baking dish. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

Spoon 1 tablespoon of the reserved marinade over each. Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 4 to 5 minutes or until they are slightly rare. Top each tuna steak with 1 teaspoon of the butter and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Works Cited

Atuna.com. Web. 09 Nov. 2010. <http://www.atuna.com/species/species_datasheets.htm>.

"Largest Bluefin Tuna - All-Tackle IGFA World Record." Index. Web. 09 Nov. 2010. <http://www.bigmarinefish.com/photos_bluefin_tuna_pg4.html>.

Maluniu, Teresa. "How to Catch Bluefin Tuna - WikiHow." WikiHow - The How-to Manual That You Can Edit. Web. 09 Nov. 2010. <http://www.wikihow.com/Catch-Bluefin-Tuna>.

"National Geographic." Bluefin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna Pictures, Bluefin Tuna Facts - National Geographic. Web. 09 Nov. 2010. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/bluefin-tuna.html>.

Vaness, Nancy. "Barbecued Bluefin Tuna Recipe." Cdkitchen. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/324/Barbecued_Bluefin_Tuna13398.shtml>.