Mexican Tuna Industry Sues U.S. Brand Leaders For $1 Billion ff

Canainpesca Director Carlos Mérigo Arellana said the enormous claim is aimed at the U.S Canned Tuna brandleaders StarKist, Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea.The United States banned imports of Mexican tuna over allegations that Mexico had not taken steps to reduce the number of Eastern Pacific Tropical dolphins killed each year due to yellowfin tuna fishing.

However, Canainpesca's legal team alleges that the American companies selling tuna products labeled "Dolphin Safe" did not follow strict and clear fisheries control procedures themselves to protect dolphins.

The tuna embargo, which lasted from February 1991 until 1999, had a severe socio-economic impact. During the first five years alone, the industry lost more than USD 400 million, including USD 180 million in lost export revenue.In addition 16 tuna processing plants closed affecting nearly 300,000 jobs and even now, more than 10 years since the embargo began, 10,000 of these jobs have yet to be recovered. (Source: Mexican news sources, Fish Info Services)