Page 24 - 《水产学报》2026年第01期

1 期 周 成，等：商业性热带金枪鱼栖息地研究进展 50 卷

Research progress on commercial tropical tuna habitat

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ZHOU Cheng 1,2,3,4 , HU Yuanyuan , WAN Rong 1,2,3,4* , XU Liuxiong 1,2,3,4 ,
ZHU Jiangfeng 1,2,3,4 , LI Yunkai 1,2,3,4
(1. College of Marine Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
2. National Distant-water Fisheries Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
3. Key Laboratory of Sustainable Exploitation of Ocean Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Education,
Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
4. Key Laboratory of Exploitation of Ocean Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China)

Abstract: The tuna fishery is one of the largest commercial and recreational fisheries in the world. Tropical tuna as the primary
source of global tuna production holds significant commercial value. Its wide distribution, migratory and movement patterns
make it subject to the jurisdiction of multilateral and international fisheries management organizations. A better understanding
of the geographical distribution of tropical tuna habitats and the marine environmental characteristics influencing habitat selec-
tion could help drive the development of optimal sustainable fisheries management strategies. Globally, the biology and ecolo-
gical roles of tropical tunas have been extensively and well-studied. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive and
systematic review study domestically on the habitat partitioning of three commercial tropical tuna species and their environ-
mental adaptability. This study reviews the research on tropical tuna habitats over different periods, both domestically and inter-
nationally. We explore the impact of the physiological mechanisms and behavioral characteristics of tropical tuna on the hab-
itat selection from a physiological and ecological perspective, and provide a classified overview of the two primary methods
used in habitat research, direct observation and habitat modeling. We also present a comprehensive analysis of the interspecific
variations among three tropical tuna species regarding their global geographical distribution, vertical depth distribution, and
preferences and tolerance to different marine environmental factors. Researches indicated that tropical tuna exhibit significant
inter-specific differences in their vertical habitat distribution, along with diurnal distribution variations, demonstrating diurnal
vertical migration behavior. Tropical tuna typically dive deeper at dawn and ascend at dusk, aligning with the vertical migra-
tion pattern of the deep scattering layer. Changes in the marine environment primarily drive the dynamics of tropical tuna popu-
lation structure and abundance, impacting their habitat distribution. The key environmental characteristics of tropical tuna habit-
ats can be classified into three main categories: physical environmental factors, chemical environmental factors, and biotic
factors. Also, the present study comprehensively compiles the environmental characteristics of tropical tuna habitat in thirteen
major global marine ecological regions by summarizing the findings from the literature. The ecological regions occupied by
tropical tuna can be classified into three main types: the first type consists of regions with high temperatures, low productivity,
and relatively shallow mixed layer depth; the second type includes regions with low temperatures, high productivity, and mod-
erate mixed layer depth; and the third type comprises regions with both high temperatures and high productivity. Finally, we
offer insights into future research opportunities in the hotspots of tropical tuna habitat by integrating the research frontiers in
fisheries and oceanography. In particular, it is essential to focus on the impact processes and driving mechanisms of climate
change on population resource dynamics and to distinguish the specific responses of different species to climate change. This
knowledge will support relevant organizations in formulating effective measures to address the future impacts of climate change
on fisheries.
Key words: commercial tuna; physiological mechanisms; biogeography; habitat models; habitat characteristics; marine ecolo-
gical zones; tropical
Corresponding author: WAN Rong. E-mail: rwan@shou.edu.cn
Funding projects: National Key R & D Program of China (2023YFD2401301, 2023YFD2401305)

中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries https://www.china-fishery.cn
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