Commercial interests block Tuna ban

The EU has abandoned its plans to push for a temporary ban through a CITES listing on fishing for bluefin tuna, loved by sushi fans but severely overfished, which would have given the fish a chance to recover, the EC argued.

National experts from EU member states met on 21 September to consider a proposal from the EC that the bloc co-sponsor alongside non-EU country Monaco a temporary suspension on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

After strong opposition when the Mediterranean countries France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, and Cyprus baulked at the suggestion, even though France had earlier said it would back the plan, the officials were unable to reach the necessary majority to adopt the commission’s recommendation.

Monday’s move postpones a decision on whether to place bluefin tuna on an endangered species list. EU environment ministers are now expected to reach a final position by the end of the year.

Once again short term commercial greed overrides any commonsense – instead of carefully managing stocks these commercial fishermen seem hell bent on catching the last one.

Of course that will then be followed by the usual wailing about communities decaying unless millions of Euros are given in subsidies – the race is on to see which fishery will be the next to collapse, Tuna and Clyde Nephrops are now joint favourites.

Category: EU Government News