Source: Greenpeace
As the 2010 meeting of the scientific committee of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Madrid closes, Greenpeace is demanding that the EU fulfill its legal obligation to protect endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna.
The meeting has seen an updated assessment of the stocks of bluefin which was undermined by by the poor quality of bluefin tuna fisheries data.
“There are still huge uncertainties about the real status of the Atlantic bluefin stock, which in themselves should result in a full closure of the fishery,†said Sebastian Losada, Greenpeace International oceans policy advisor. “What is clear from this week’s preparatory meeting is that ICCAT’s November meeting in Paris must involve drastic steps from member governments to ensure the species’ recovery.
The EU, under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, is legally bound to ensure the recovery of Atlantic bluefin tuna by 2015 and must restore ecosystem health by 2020 at the latest. The scientific advice given by ICCAT scientists has direct consequences for the EU, which has the obligation under Community law to go further than ICCAT and opt to reduce the overall quota to between 0 and 6,000 tons. The EU has the largest bluefin quota in ICCAT and has historically argued for the largest possible quotas, but other member nations, including the U.S. and Japan will need to work together to agree a realistic plan to ensure the species recovery.
“The European Union has a legal obligation to restore Atlantic bluefin populations, which includes ensuring that less than 6,000 tonnes of bluefin are caught in 2011 and beyond. ICCAT must also deliver on its commitment to protect the areas identified at this meeting as key spawning grounds for these fish – such as the waters near the Balearic Islands, off Libya and the Sicilian Channel – as protecting the remaining breeding population is essential component to rescuing the species.â€
ICCAT has failed to prevent the drastic reduction of Atlantic bluefin stocks, sanctioning overfishing by large purse-seining vessels and proving itself incapable of controlling overfishing and false catch reporting.
ICCAT member parties will meet in Paris, between 16th and 27th November, 2010.