The boats that go after bluefin tuna are mostly small to medium-sized vessels of 40 to 80 tons. According to Tungkang Fishermen's Association, their number has risen from 200-plus in the past to almost three times as many today. Many boats that used to trawl for other fish have been converted for long line fishing to catch bluefin tuna.
出海捕捉黑鮪的漁船多半是四十噸至八十噸級的中小型漁船，原本就是台灣沿近海漁船的主力，根據東港漁會統計，捕捉黑鮪魚的船隻已由過去的兩百多艘成長近三倍，許多捕捉其他魚種的拖網漁船也改裝成專抓黑鮪的延繩釣船。