A good sized Mackerel Tuna caught in Siquijor

Common Name:   Tuna, Kawa Kawa, Bullseye

Local Name:  Tulingan (Tagalog); Barilis, Hasa Hasa (Cebuano)

Max Size:  100 cm

Biodiversity: Marine, Pelagic, Oceanodromous

Depth:  0 – 200 m

Fishing Season:  All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit:  12 inches

Recommended Bait/Lures:  Tuna flies, small fish and crustaceans

IUCN Red List Status:  Not Evaluated (NE)

This species of fish is common in large schools off the coast all over the Philippines.  It is usually found quite close to shore where the school feeds on  baitfish.  It is quite a popular fish for local fishermen to target as it is quite abundant, easily caught and fetches a good price in the market.  It has dark flesh that is quite tasty.

Fishermen most often go after this fish with long lines of multiple hooks (sometimes up to 30 or more hooks per line).  Their hooks are relatively small long shank hooks dressed with striped feathers, tinsel, crystallite, or various other materials to create a small pin fish lure.  For those who are familiar fly fishing their dressed hooks look very much like Clouser Minnows.

Siquijor Tuna Photo courtesy of Eric Mark E. Opaon

Small Tulingan caught off Puerto Galera Mindoro