Yellowfin tuna caught in the Western and Central Pacific with handlines, hand-operated pole-and-lines or trolling lines is a "Best Choice." The stocks are overfished globally except in the Western and Central Pacific, and no other species of concern are caught in these fisheries.

Yellowfin tuna caught in U.S. waters; internationally with hand-operated pole-and-lines, trolling lines or non-FAD purse seines; and in the Eastern Pacific with dolphin set purse seines is a "Good Alternative." While overfishing isn’t occurring in the Pacific or Atlantic, yellowfin tuna are undergoing overfishing in the Indian Ocean. The catch of at-risk or depleted species in some fisheries is a moderate to high concern. In the Eastern Pacific dolphin set purse seine fishery, there are concerns about non-lethal effects on dolphins. Yellowfin tuna caught in the Indian Ocean with hand-operated pole-and-lines or trolling lines is a "Good Alternative" rather than an "Avoid" because these fishing methods have low bycatch.

Yellowfin tuna caught internationally with drifting longlines or floating object purse seines (FAD) is on the "Avoid" list. These fisheries catch at-risk or depleted species and other tunas from depleted stocks. In addition, the management measures to reduce the catch of endangered, threatened or overfished species are rated ineffective in these international fisheries.