"A search of over 600 source documents, each of which dealt with some aspects of the biology or fisheries or for identifying blackfin tuna, Thunnus atlanticus, and little tunny, Euthynnus alletteratus, was conducted through the computerized search-systems available through the library of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science of the University of Miami. Additional material was extracted fr~m the sources available to the collaborating authors, as well as from some additional data from the research documents of the Southeast Fisheries Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service. As a result of this analysis, separate species .. profiles were developed for each of these tuna species. In addition, commercial fisheries activities which include the target species were reviewed for the following areas: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles, Hispaniola, Venezuela, Brazil, West Africa, and the United States. Recreational fisheries in the U.S. and adjacent areas were also reviewed"--Executive summary, paragraphs 1-2.

Technical Memorandum

Atlantic Ocean

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)