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Europe poised for Bluefin Trade Ban
European officials are increasing pressure for an international ban on the commercial fishing of bluefin tuna while trying to weigh economic interests of a Mediterranean fishing industry, a sushi-loving Japan, and a species that some experts say is on the verge of extinction.
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Bluefin stocks have plummeted as demand for sushi has risen and powerful industrial fishing boats known as purse seiners have come into use. The stocks are now below 15 percent of their historical level, a team of scientific experts from tuna-fishing nations concluded at a meeting in October in Madrid.
France, Italy and Spain account for half of the world's total allowable catch of bluefin tuna. After a long delay lasting 18 months France said on Wednesday it would support a ban on global trade in bluefin tuna.
Environmentalists such as Greenpeace called the delay "absurd" and said it could lead to the extinction of the fish that is prized by sushi lovers.
"Asking for 18 months to implement this measure equates to waiting until there is no more bluefin tuna before acting," Greenpeace said in a statement. "The government is buying peace with the fishermen at a time of regional elections."
Monaco has proposed protecting bluefin tuna, which can fetch up to $100,000 in Japan, by listing it under appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
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