Commissioner Borg launches appeal to protect bluefin tuna

The European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, has called for a full commitment to the protection of the threatened bluefin tuna, as crucial talks got underway yesterday within the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

The issue has been the subject of controversy, particularly between Mediterranean fisherman and environmental groups, in view of scientific evidence that this fish is threatened, especially by over fishing.

Mediterranean bluefin tuna is considered to be a delicacy in Asia, particularly in Japan, with the majority of tuna hunted and reared in the Mediterranean exported to Tokyo. Maltese fishermen are also involved in this lucrative business.

Speaking at the start of the talks in Dubrovnik, Dr Borg reiterated the urgent need to ensure a substantial cut in fishing pressure on this stock. He said the Commission was determined to come away from Croatia with a truly effective management plan that could deliver sustainability for both the bluefin stock and related fisheries.

He warned, however, that this would happen only if all parties were equally committed and if all stages of the bluefin tuna fishery were covered.

"Control and monitoring of compliance must start from the time bluefin tuna is caught to its landing at a port, transfer to cages or processing on board through to the sale or import and retail of bluefin tuna products. Only then will we have a chance to eliminate illegal fishing of bluefin tuna and at the same time bring over fishing to an end."

According to a study released recently by the World Wildlife Fund, bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean basin may become extinct in a few years time.

The WWF has been mounting pressure on the Commission to come to an agreement with its ICAAT partners on protective measures including an extension of the closed season from May through July, the reduction of the maximum total fishing quota from the current 32,000 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes and an increase in minimum landing size to 30kg to allow the fish to reach sexual maturity.

The WWF is also insisting on an improved observation and reporting system of all fishing and farming activities to curb illegal activity.