Global origins of tuna and billfish fisheries reveal the transition from coastal access to oceanic exploitation.

Humans began fishing for tuna around 44,000 years ago and billfish around 10,000 years ago, with offshore exploitation mainly emerging in the last 200 years.

• Why it matters: Understanding the history of offshore fisheries reveals how human activities have gradually shifted from coastal to oceanic environments, highlighting long-term ecological impacts.
• What they did: The study examined archaeological evidence and maritime technology developments, showing early fisheries were nearshore and linked to ritual, with offshore exploitation being a recent phenomenon.
• The result: Findings demonstrate a long-term human influence on marine ecosystems, with significant differences in the timing and pathways of exploitation between nearshore and offshore habitats.