Vizag’s Tuna Industry At Crossroads As Catches Swing And Sustainability Concerns Mount
Landings of other tuna species (including Thunnus, Sarda and Auxis) remained modest but volatile, spiking to 568 tonnes in 2024–25, compared to just 146 tonnes the previous year: Reports
VISAKHAPATNAM: Big catches, volatile yields and growing sustainability concerns have pushed Visakhapatnam’s tuna industry to a critical juncture, with official data revealing sharp fluctuations in landings despite the increasing use of mechanised fishing and modern gear along the east coast.
Between 2022–23 and 2025–26, total tuna landings rose from 9,696 tonnes to a peak of 12,029 tonnes in 2024–25, before slipping to 10,278 tonnes in 2025–26. The uneven trend highlights the difficulty of sustaining stable yields, even with trawlers, gill nets, hook-and-line methods and long-line fishing now widely in use.
Among individual species, Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) showed the sharpest swings. Landings climbed from 3,562 tonnes in 2022–23 to 5,698 tonnes in 2024–25, before dropping steeply to 3,526 tonnes in 2025–26. Fisheries experts attribute the volatility to shifting migratory routes, changing oceanic conditions and inconsistent fishing practices.
Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), however, proved more resilient, registering steady growth from 1,456 tonnes to 2,436 tonnes over the four-year period, reinforcing its role as a dependable commercial species for local fishermen.
In contrast, Little tuna (Euthynnus affinis)—the largest contributor in 2022–23 with 4,489 tonnes—declined to 3,684 tonnes in 2024–25, before marginally recovering to 3,782 tonnes in 2025–26, raising concerns about stock pressure and possible overfishing.
Landings of other tuna species (including Thunnus, Sarda and Auxis) remained modest but volatile, spiking to 568 tonnes in 2024–25, compared to just 146 tonnes the previous year.
P. Laxmana Rao, Joint Director of Fisheries, said that while mechanisation had improved catch volumes, sustainability remained a pressing concern. “Fluctuating landings underline the urgent need for better resource management. We are advising fishermen to curb juvenile fishing and adopt sustainable practices,” he said.
Despite annual catches crossing 12,000 tonnes at their peak, fishermen argue that Visakhapatnam’s potential as a tuna hub remains largely untapped due to the absence of modern processing infrastructure. Much of the catch is sold at low margins to middlemen or exported in bulk without value addition.
“We land world-class tuna here, but we lack facilities for grading, freezing and canning. The real value is created elsewhere,” said Vasasupalli Janaki Ram of the East Coast Mechanised Boat Owners Association of India.
He pointed out that tuna currently fetches ₹130–150 per kg, but with proper processing units in place, prices could potentially double, transforming livelihoods along the coast.
As yields swing and sustainability challenges deepen, Vizag’s tuna sector now faces a defining choice continue as a raw supplier or evolve into a value-driven marine industry.