Post by SHARK on Apr 21, 2009 21:59:23 GMT 1
WWF has welcomed today’s move by the European Commission to close the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery to EU industrial fleets on June 16, two weeks before the official season ends – but reminds policymakers of the need now for urgent and more far-reaching fisheries management reform to avoid the collapse of the species.
WWF is also concerned by the exception made for Spain, whose fleets are allowed to fish for another week to 23 June, and asks the EU to correct this inconsistency.
In announcing the fishery’s immediate closure, European authorities highlight the dire situation facing the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery – widely reported to be rife with illegal activity and massive overfishing due to bloated fleet capacity.
“WWF believes this out-of-control fishery should never have been allowed to open this year at all,” says Dr Sergi Tudela, head of fisheries at WWF Mediterranean.
“Overfishing and massive illegal catches threaten the survival of bluefin tuna – fishing should be banned indefinitely at least during June, the key spawning month for Mediterranean bluefin tuna.”
A milestone meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT, the organization mandated to sustainably manage this fishery) takes place in November.
WWF urges fisheries decision-makers to follow urgent advice from international scientists to enable the endangered bluefin tuna stock to recover and avoid collapse.
“What’s needed now is a radical overhaul of the rules at ICCAT in November – the make-or-break moment for Mediterranean bluefin tuna,” adds Tudela.
WWF is also concerned by the exception made for Spain, whose fleets are allowed to fish for another week to 23 June, and asks the EU to correct this inconsistency.
In announcing the fishery’s immediate closure, European authorities highlight the dire situation facing the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery – widely reported to be rife with illegal activity and massive overfishing due to bloated fleet capacity.
“WWF believes this out-of-control fishery should never have been allowed to open this year at all,” says Dr Sergi Tudela, head of fisheries at WWF Mediterranean.
“Overfishing and massive illegal catches threaten the survival of bluefin tuna – fishing should be banned indefinitely at least during June, the key spawning month for Mediterranean bluefin tuna.”
A milestone meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT, the organization mandated to sustainably manage this fishery) takes place in November.
WWF urges fisheries decision-makers to follow urgent advice from international scientists to enable the endangered bluefin tuna stock to recover and avoid collapse.
“What’s needed now is a radical overhaul of the rules at ICCAT in November – the make-or-break moment for Mediterranean bluefin tuna,” adds Tudela.