The European Commission has taken drastic step to cut the bluefin tuna fishing by 30 percent over two years in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean under an international accord reached in Marrakesh. The European Union’s executive arm told that the total allowable haul of the increasingly endangered species was slashed from 28,500 tonnes in 2008 to 22,000 tonnes in 2009 and 19,950 tonnes in 2010.
It is also pointed out that a further quota cut to 18,500 tonnes in 2011 could also be possible depending on a review of stock levels in 2010. The agreement was struck on Monday at a meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), whose members — the main fishing nations — had been negotiating quotas since November 17.
But the conservation groups like the WWF have attacked the agreement for not going far enough, the commission — which negotiated on the European Union’s behalf — voiced satisfaction. EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg in a statement that it is a sign of the seriousness of the situation, and the maturity of all the participants, that it has been possible to achieve a consensus.
According to the commission the quota cuts were backed up with a four-month reduction in the season of the industrial tuna fishing fleet, which account for the vast majority of catches. The fishing season for such so-called purse seiners will therefore be knocked down to the period from April 15 to June 15. ICCAT members also committed to ban all imports or exports of bluefin tuna not covered from sources that are either a national or vessel.
