There are few places in the world where you would find people who have not tasted and enjoyed tuna fish. There are many varieties of this fish, and it is estimated that more than two million tons are caught each year for fish markets or by sportsmen.
The largest is the bluefin tuna that sometimes matches the size of a shark or porpoise. It may weigh as much as 1,000 pounds and grow more than 10 feet long. But most that are caught are around 3 feet long, which is big enough to give a sports fisherman a real battle.
Although found in every ocean, many live in the Atlantic Ocean, with Nova Scotia and Norway being two of the places where great numbers feed. The larger bluefins are often caught in these places, and the flesh is sold fresh, canned or frozen. Most are packed in ice and shipped to cities throughout Canada, the United States and Europe, as well as many being flown to other countries.
The bluefin, as with all tuna, has a very distinctive shape. From its large mouth to the very narrow connection at its crescent-shaped vertical tail, it is as streamlined as a dolphin. The tuna is among the swiftest fishes, and the hardy bluefin has been known to swim as far as 100 miles a day. It is a pretty fish, deep-blue along its well-muscled body in which the Creator has provided an extra-strong heart, so that many live to be 30 to 35 years old.
The Atlantic tuna migrate each year from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea in schools estimated to contain as many as 10,000. These migrations, as far north as the Arctic Circle and back, set a long-distance record in the fish world.
Females lay tremendous quantities of eggs which float near the surface. These hatch and grow rapidly, but many become the victims of hungry sea creatures. Those that survive weigh about nine pounds in a year’s time and become mature in three or four years, but keep on growing no matter how old they become.
Tuna, as well as all other creatures, are always under God’s care and live their lives through instincts He has given them. In the Bible we also find that “His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He [sees] all his goings” (Job 34:2121For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (Job 34:21)). We should thank Him for this, but even more for the message, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live [have eternal life] through Him” (1 John 4:99In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)). Have you thanked Him for that love and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own Saviour?
MAY 3, 1998
ML-05/03/1998