Tuna (Dawan)

Introduction

Tuna (Dawan) is a very popular sea fish around the world and is abundant in Pakistan. Tuna fish are of varying species such as Yellow Fin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Long Tail Tuna, Big Eye Tuna, etc. The most common species of Tuna in Pakistan are Longtail, Albacore, and Skipjack. Tuna is a large fish and mainly used in boneless meat form.

They are comparatively easy to catch and goes in the making of delicious dishes like steaks, salads, burgers, sandwiches, Kababs, etc. Tuna – Dawan fish is a powerhouse of essential nutrients.

Flavor Profile

Tuna is red a meat fish having dark shade meat around the backbone. Tuna is prized for sashimi. They have a moderately pronounced flavor, a high-fat content with marbling near the skin, and a richer flavor than Yellowfin. The texture is firm and “meaty” with large flakes. It is best served as sushi or cooked rare to medium-rare. Over-cooked tuna becomes tasteless.

Nomenclature

English Name: Tuna, Long Tail Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Albacore
Local Name: Dawan , Aahoor
Scientific Name: Thunnus tonggol

Habitat

Tuna is a Sea fish that is found throughout the world’s oceans mainly Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern. Skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tunas are found mainly in the tropics, while albacore, like bluefin, are also found in temperate waters.

Catching Method

Tuna is caught using Gillnets.

Physical Attributes

Tuna has Scales on the body. All tuna looks similar with a slight difference in length and width. Some have big eyes and some have long tails. Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna have colored fin as depicted in the name.

Color

Back dark blue or black, dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins blackish, the tip of second dorsal and anal fins washed with yellow, anal fin silvery, caudal fin blackish, with streaks of yellowish-green.

Size

On average, Tuna size range is 4 kg to 30 kg per fish. However, other sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

Tuna is preferred for boneless Steaks, boneless Cubes, boneless fingers, and mince.

Approx. Cutting Yields

Whole: 100 %
Gutted: 65 %
Headless and Gutted: 70 %
Slices: Not Possible because of large size fish
Boneless: 42 %

Cooking Preferences

Tuna is preferred for Salads, Sushi, Sandwiches, Kababs, and Burger patties.

Health Benefits

Heart friendly
Lowers Blood Pressure
Improves Immune System
Strengthens the bones
Improves Skin and Hair health