Parents' Guide to Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks

Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks: title is placed over the top of an industrial fishing boat in stormy weather.

Common Sense Media Review

Stephanie Morgan By Stephanie Morgan , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

High-stakes, competitive tuna fishing reality has profanity.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

WICKED TUNA: OUTER BANKS is part of the larger Wicked Tuna franchise. This series follows a group of fishermen in Gloucester, Massachusetts, who use rods, reels, and hand lines to catch bluefin tuna in some of the most heavily regulated waters in the world. With bluefin tuna populations dwindling, these fishermen rely on each catch for their livelihood while navigating legal restrictions and fierce competition.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This series delivers an exciting and intense pursuit of the catch—that's thrilling when fishermen finally land a tuna, and heartbreaking when they lose one. The resilience and skill of the fishermen featured in Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks are impressive. However, the series is also marked by competitiveness and nastiness, with men more focused on outdoing each other than collaborating. In the simplest terms, this can be a bummer to watch, as captains fighting to support their families sometimes turn their frustration and outbursts toward their own crews. Still, there are entertaining moments, and the series does convey a respect for the environment and the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Fans of previous Wicked Tuna iterations will likely enjoy this series, while newbies are just as likely to flip the channel to something more positive and less repetitive.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about competition and collaboration. The fishermen are often in fierce competition with each other, but there are also moments of mentorship and camaraderie. How do these dynamics reflect real-life challenges in balancing competitiveness with cooperation?

  • The show frequently features confrontations between the fishermen, often escalating to shouting and threats. How might the competitive pressure add to these conflicts, and what are healthier ways to handle disagreements?

  • How does the series address the tension between preserving bluefin tuna populations and the fishermen's need to make a living? Discuss the challenges of balancing economic survival with environmental conservation.

TV Details

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Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks: title is placed over the top of an industrial fishing boat in stormy weather.

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