The UK has joined in the call for an international ban on trade of the overfished bluefin tuna. (Photo: Stock File)

Britain and France call for global bluefin tuna ban

UNITED KINGDOM
Monday, July 20, 2009, 16:50 (GMT + 9)

Britain and France are calling for a ban on international trade of the severely endangered bluefin tuna.

Although France owns a large bluefin tuna fishing fleet, President Nicolas Sarkozy announced last week that his country would support this plan at the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). UK Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies is also committed to supporting the initiative.

"Ours is the last generation with the ability to take action before it's too late – we must protect marine resources now, in order to fish better in the future,” Sarkozy said, Environment News Service reports. “We owe this to fishermen, and we owe it to future generations."

The first to communicate wishes to encourage the international ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna was the Principality of Monaco. The sovereign city-state launched a formal CITES consultation process earlier last week in hopes of gaining the support of other range States.

Awareness about the dire fate of bluefin tuna has reached the masses through the documentary film “The End of the Line.” The film has been causing a stir since its release earlier this year.
 
“The Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery is collapsing and, unless we take immediate action, the breeding population will disappear by 2010,” said World Wildlife Fund UK (WWF-UK) Marine Programme Manager Sally Bailey.

“We’re urging the government to encourage other countries to follow this lead and ban international trade. It’s our last chance to save this iconic species,” she added.

Bluefin tuna stocks have been fading dramatically due to activities such as excessive quota violations, illegal spotting planes to chase tuna, under-reporting of catch, pirate fishing, fishing during the closed season, management measures that ignore scientific advice and the massive overcapacity of fleets.

“If the world doesn’t put the brakes on its voracious appetite now, an amazing species – and fishery – could be lost forever,” said Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF-Mediterranean.

It is expected that the ban will cause conflict between Britain and Japan. The latter country prizes bluefin tuna as a popular product that fetches high prices.

"I can confirm that the UK will support a CITES listing of bluefin tuna,” Irranca-Davies said.

"We do think this is not a substitute for ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) and the work it does, but we are pleased to give the proposal for CITES our strong support. We hope that others will come on board as well."

Related articles:

- Govt flaunts bluefin tuna rules, sets own limits
- Breeding bluefin stocks at dire risk in the Mediterranean: WWF
- Film prompts retailers to go for sustainable tuna

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com