A recent scientific discovery now suggests that this connection between the country and the powerful ocean fish goes back much further than previously known.

Researchers have identified the first fossil of a tuna ever found in Portugal. The discovery was made in the coastal region of the Serra da Arrábida, an area known for its cliffs and important geological sites. The fossil was uncovered between Cabo Espichel and Praia do Meco.

The fossil consists of a single vertebra, but it was enough for scientists to identify it as a tuna vertebra. Based on its size and structure, researchers estimate that the fish measured more than 2.8 meters in length. That would make it similar in size to some of the largest tuna species found in modern oceans.

According to a scientific study published by the Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, the fossil dates to roughly 20 million years ago, in the Miocene. During this time, the region that is now Portugal was part of a rich marine environment with a wide range of sea life.

Although the discovery may seem small, it is important for scientists studying ancient oceans. Fossils of large open-ocean fish such as tuna are relatively rare. Because these fish live in deep or open waters and their bones are lightweight, their remains do not fossilise as easily as those of animals living closer to the seabed.

For researchers, the fossil provides clear evidence that large predatory fish were already swimming in the Atlantic waters near Portugal millions of years ago. The discovery helps scientists better understand the marine ecosystems that existed in the region during the Miocene period.

Beyond its scientific value, the discovery also connects to Portugal’s long history of tuna fishing. Historical records show that tuna were already being caught and processed along the Portuguese coast during Roman times. In later centuries, traditional tuna traps became common along the Algarve coast, where communities relied on seasonal tuna migrations.

Today, tuna remains an important part of Portuguese cuisine and fishing culture. The fossil discovery suggests that the presence of these powerful fish in local waters is not just a matter of centuries, but of millions of years.