Tuna and tuna-like species are the primary resources for a
number of Distant Water Fishing Nations (DWFNs) in both the
High Seas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of coastal states.
Since ancient times, tuna fishing has been carried out in many
parts of the world [1] and tuna resources provide important
economic and social benefits for many nations and areas [2–7].
Because of the high demand for tuna and the significant over capacity
of tuna fishing fleets [8], most stocks of the principal
tunas species are nearly fully exploited [9].
The highly migratory characteristics of tuna