Fisheries: ICCAT and EU sink hopes of restoring bluefin tuna stocks
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting in Marrakech has set quotas for bluefin tuna fishing well above maximum levels stated in the scientific advice. Green MEP Raül Romeva, who attended the meeting, commented:
"The ICCAT quotas are a death sentence for the bluefin tuna. It is completely unacceptable that the body responsible for managing stocks has set a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) that is 50% higher than the scientific advice. (1)
The Greens have been calling for nothing less than a moratorium on bluefin tuna fishing. Given this week's result, we can only agree with the independent review of ICCAT (2) that labelled its management of this fish as "an international disgrace".
The EU had pressed for even higher catches. It is morally bankrupt for Commissioner Joe Borg to make noises about the need to conserve bluefin tuna before the ICCAT meeting, when the European community then proceeds to use strong-arm, bullying tactics to try and impose a maximum total catch two thirds higher (3) than the scientific advice.
Meanwhile EU vessels are pushing bluefin stocks closer to collapse by fishing illegally. Last year, the EU exceeded its quota by some 5,000 tonnes and this year, EU at-sea inspections in the Mediterranean revealed apparent infractions at a rate of 20% to 60% (4).
The EU has bankrolled the decimation of bluefin stocks by subsidising the new large fishing vessels that are responsible for overfishing, to the detriment of certain traditional fishing fleets. When the stocks are gone, the same ship-owners who lobbied to over-exploit bluefin tuna will come cap in hand for more EU money. This must not be allowed to happen."
(1) 22,000 tonnes, compared to scientific advice for a maximum of 15,000
(2) Report of the independent review for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) by G.D. Hurry, M. Hyashi and J.J. Maguire (September 2008)
(3) 25,500 tonnes
(4) In the eastern Mediterranean, 5 inspections led to 3 infractions, in the central Mediterranean 58 inspections led to 22 infractions.
