Measuring and Mitigating GHGs: Tuna

The document examines GHG emissions from the wild-caught tuna supply chain, noting that emissions typically range from 8–9 kgCO2e/kg of edible weight or tuna product. Fishing fuel use is the dominant emission source, with significant variation based on the method used: purse seining is the least intensive (1.7–4.1 kgCO2e/kg EW), while longlining and trolling can be much higher. Other contributors include packaging—specifically metal cans—and air transport, which can exceed 10 kgCO2e/kg EW. Proposed mitigation strategies include rebuilding fish stocks to improve catch-per-unit-effort, switching to low-fuel fishing methods, streamlining packaging, reducing air freight, and decreasing seafood loss and waste.

• Tuna emissions across the entire value chain typically average between 8 and 9 kgCO2e per kilogram of edible weight (EW) or tuna product (TP).
• Fuel use during fishing is the primary driver of emissions, with the specific catch method being the most significant determinant of the carbon footprint. Purse seining is the most fuel-efficient method, typically resulting in 2.3–3 kgCO2e/kg EW, whereas longlining is more intensive, ranging from 3.1–12.5 kgCO2e/kg EW.

APA

Cho, Y., Jonsson, J. R., McManus, L., Phillips, E., Sejas, M. V., & Moberg, E. (2022). Measuring and Mitigating GHGs: Tuna. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/315/4brwfb5e9n_MOBERG_GHG_Brief_TUNA_07_22_v4.pdf

Chicago

Cho, Yeji, Jon Rasmus Jonsson, Lauren McManus, Emma Phillips, Marcio Vargas Sejas, and Emily Moberg. Measuring and Mitigating GHGs: Tuna. WWF International, 2022. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/315/4brwfb5e9n_MOBERG_GHG_Brief_TUNA_07_22_v4.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cho |first1=Yeji |last2=Jonsson |first2=Jon Rasmus |last3=McManus |first3=Lauren |last4=Phillips |first4=Emma |last5=Sejas |first5=Marcio Vargas |last6=Moberg |first6=Emily |title=Measuring and Mitigating GHGs: Tuna |publisher=WWF International |date=17 September 2022 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/315/4brwfb5e9n_MOBERG_GHG_Brief_TUNA_07_22_v4.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cho2022measuring, author = {Cho, Yeji and Jonsson, Jon Rasmus and McManus, Lauren and Phillips, Emma and Sejas, Marcio Vargas and Moberg, Emily}, title = {{Measuring and Mitigating GHGs: Tuna}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2022}, month = sep, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/315/4brwfb5e9n_MOBERG_GHG_Brief_TUNA_07_22_v4.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }