According to the scientific committee of ICCAT a recent research report indicates a call for a reduction of at least 50 percent of the total allowable catch of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic from 2009, it has been learned. ICCAT, an intergovernmental fishery organization controlling tuna stocks in the Atlantic, likely will review the catch quotas based on the report at its annual meeting to be held in Morocco on Nov. 17-24.
It is said that this review will almost inevitably lead to the tightening of regulations and a surge in tuna prices. The report revealed that 61,000 tons of tuna, including illegal catches, are estimated to have been caught in 2007. Reported catches in 2007 came to 32,398 tons, although the total catch quota was 29,500 tons. The committee pointed out that the risk of the tuna stock decreasing was becoming severe and demanded the slash of annual catch quotas to 15,000 tons or less and to maintain these for more than 10 years to ensure sustainable catches of bluefin tuna.
The report also said that in Japan, 44,000 tons of bluefin tuna were consumed in 2006. About 60 percent of this total came from the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic, either caught by Japanese fishing boats or imported. As the catch quotas were set at ICCAT’s annual meetings in November 2006 the wholesale price of frozen bluefin tuna was on the rise at the Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market.
