World Tuna Day is being observed on Friday to raise awareness about the importance of tuna for nutrition, economic development and livelihoods, while underscoring the need for sustainable fishing practices.

The day, marked annually on May 2, was established by the United Nations in 2016 to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tuna stocks.

According to experts, tuna species are vital to global food security, international trade and the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.

Tuna fisheries are considered among the most complex to manage, as the species are highly migratory and move across multiple national jurisdictions and international waters.

The observance aims to draw attention to the risks of overfishing and the need to protect tuna populations to ensure their availability for future generations.