The expansion of longline fishing for tuna by Asian fleets in the Indian Ocean began in the 1950s, significantly impacting global tuna stocks. This fishing method, which involves using long lines with multiple hooks, allowed for increased catch rates but also raised concerns about overfishing and bycatch. The growth of this industry highlighted the need for sustainable fishing practices and international regulations to protect marine biodiversity.

The widespread use of Indian Ocean tuna longlining in 1950 broadened global maritime perspectives in postcolonial poetry. Poets like Agha Shahid Ali used the ocean as a metaphor for cultural exchange and conflict, exploring themes of identity and belonging in a globalized world.