The federal government has indicated it may do more to protect stocks of the overfished Southern bluefin tuna.
A report has been released on the state of remaining tuna stocks, and the Australian Greens have called for the fishing quota to be cut.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said he was worried.
“I certainly recognize that that particular fish stock is showing signs of considerable diminishing,†he told reporters in Adelaide.
“That is a matter of concern for the government.â€
Mr. Garrett said this would be in the minds of Australian negotiators when they entered international negotiations on the management of the Southern blue-fin tuna.
The fish lives in the southern oceans and has been overfished globally. It is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
