What is Tuna Fish ?

Tuna fish (family of Scombridae; genus – Thunnus) refers to the various species of fish that are found in the ocean. Most of these are warm blooded and extremely fast swimmers. Interestingly, the tuna fish meat is not white but pink or slightly dark red in color. This is because their muscle tissue has a very high amount of an oxygen binding molecule called myoglobin. Tuna is a very popular fish all across the world (especially in the United States) and due the vast amount of fishing, many tuna fisheries runs the risk of collapsing.

Some of the popular varieties of tuna – bluefin and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) – are overfished to such an extent that their population in the Atlantic and Pacific (North West region) is majorly affected. The skip jack tuna variety (Katsuwonus pelamis) that is found in the central and western regions of the Pacific Ocean is also facing the problem of over-capitalization. In 2006 the Government of Australia alleged that Japan had overfished almost $2 billion (USD) of the bluefin tuna causing severe damage to their inventory. As a punishment to this offence, Japan’s quota of southern bluefin tuna was cut down to half the original for the next five years.

What are the various tuna species?
The species are:
• Blackfin tuna (scientific name – Thunnus atlanticus)
• Yellowfin tuna (scientific name – Thunnus albacares)
• Bigeye tuna (scientific name – Thunnus obesus)
• Southern Bluefin tuna (scientific name – Thunnus maccoyii)

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• Pacific Bluefin tuna (scientific name – Thunnus orientalis) • Northern Bluefin tuna (scientific name – Thunnus thynnus) • Albacore (scientific name – Thunnus alalunga) • Karasick tuna (scientific name – Thunnus karasicus) • Longtail tuna (scientific name – Thunnus tonggol) Besides these nine species, the others belonging to the same family and containing the same name are • Skipjack tuna • Dogtooth tuna • Bullet tuna • Slender tuna • Frigate tuna
Some information for the calorie conscious There is some good news for those who count their calories. Tuna is great if you intend to lose weight. Studies have shown that tuna has a very high nutritional value and is low in calories. Let me give you the amount of calories you will consume in a tuna fish diet: • Cooked bluefin tuna – 156 calories • Cooked skipjack tuna – 90 calories • Cooked yellowfin tuna – 118 calories • Canned tuna in water – 98 calories • Canned tuna in oil – 158 calories All these are an approximate of 3 oz. All these calorie value are approximate. Consuming tuna fish during pregnancy According the Consumer Reports launched recently, eating tuna of any kind during pregnancy is extremely dangerous. Though fish meat is a very high source of protein and nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids and also low in saturated fats, some varieties have very high of mercury in their body. Mercury can cause immense damage to the unborn baby’s developing nervous system and lead to cognitive disorders, disabilities and slow learning. Fish containing very low levels of mercury can be consumed in very limited quantities. Usually large fish that prey on smaller fishes have very high concentrations of mercury. This mercury can’t be avoided by cooking for a longer time or even cleaning it in different ways. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends that pregnant women should restrict themselves to 6 oz of canned albacore or white tuna fish in a week and 12 oz of canned light tuna in a week. Ideally it is better to stay away from all varieties of tuna during this tenure. The caution also holds good for those who are planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children; after all it is always better to be safe than sorry! As an alternative freshwater trout can be tried as this has very low mercury level.
Try out these quick, easy and tasty tuna recipes Tuna salad Ingredients: Canned tuna fish Mayonnaise (you can also use the low fat mayonnaise) Vegetables of your choice Lettuce Salad dressing of your choice Croutons Method: In a bowl take the tuna and mayonnaise and mix them together using a fork. Now on a flat salad plate, arrange the lettuce leaves. Pour the tuna and mayonnaise mixture on the plate. Add the vegetables, salad dressings and croutons and serve.

Steamed tuna fish
Ingredients:
Fresh tuna fillets or steaks – 2 lb
Dark soy sauce – ½ cup
Sherry – ½ cup
Olive oil – ½ cup
Spring onions – 1 bunch, finely chopped
Fresh ginger – ½ cup, finely chopped
Garlic – 3 cloves, finely chopped
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper -1 tsp

Method: Put the tuna fillets or steaks in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water and cover; cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until the flesh is tender. In another pan mix together the soy sauce, sherry, olive oil, spring onions, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper. Put the pan on the gas stove and bring to boil; now put the gas on medium flame and let this simmer for about 10 minutes or until the sauce gets a little consistency. Place the tuna steaks or fillets on a serving dish and pour the hot sauce all over. Serve immediately.

Tuna fish casserole
Ingredients:
Canned tuna fish
Garlic salt – 1 tsp
Pinch of salt
Pinch of freshly grounded black pepper
Italian bread crumbs – ½ cup
Ranch dressing – ¾ cup
Crispy egg noodles – ½ bag

Method: Boil egg noodles with a little salt and a dash of extra virgin olive oil. Drain and put aside. Take tuna, drain the water and put in a medium sized bowl. Add garlic salt, salt, pepper, bread crumbs and Ranch dressing and mix all of these together. Ensure that you a ‘enough creamy consistency’ (if you think that it is too creamy, add some more bread crumbs). Now add the egg noodles, stir well. Top it with some grated parmesan cheese (or any cheese of your choice) and bake in a oven for a few minutes or until the cheese melts. Serve hot.

Remember DO NOT KEEP IN THE OVEN FOR LONG. Overcooking will make the tuna dry.

Article Contributed By: Sukanya Banerjee


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