February 19, 2010

Bluefin tuna trade ban hits resistance

The Blue Water Fisherman's Association (BWFA) is drumming up opposition to the proposed international trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna.

BWFA regional director Jim Budi said that about 35,000 individuals and organisations have signed a petition in opposition to listing Atlantic bluefin tuna under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which would effectively ban international trade of the species to protect it from overfishing.

Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said, "Over the past 40 years, the international body that manages bluefin tuna, ICCAT, has overseen a 72% decline in the adult population of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock of bluefin tuna and an 82% decline in the adult population of the western Atlantic stock."

However, in November, ICCAT slashed the eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna quota to 13,500 tonnes in 2010, compared to 22,000 tonnes in 2009.

Recently, France and Italy backed an Appendix I listing, joining the European Commission and a number of other EU countries.

The proposed Appendix I listing is due to come to a vote at CITES triennial conference in Qatar.

If the Appendix I listing is approved, it would cause the US longline fleet "a lot of heartache," said Bud.