Press release - 26 November, 2006
Despite warnings of the collapse of bluefin tuna stocks, the commission set up to supposedly protect them today took the side of industry over science and common sense and agreed a fishing quota of nearly twice the recommended level. (1)
The European Union, under pressure from France and Italy, during
theInternational Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna
(ICCAT)meeting, torpedoed attempts by the United States to properly
regulatethe number of tuna caught each year. The Commission even
failed toagree to stop fishing during the most of the spawning
season andblocked proposals for the creation of a working group to
identify thoseresponsible for the illegal catches.
"The Mediterranean tuna fishing industry wants to keep running
theirbusiness as if nothing is happening. They are wiping out the
stocks anddestroying their own future. The European Community has
given themlicense to wipe out one of the most valuable fish in
theMediterranean", said Sebastian Losada, Greenpeace Oceans
Campaigner.
The European Union so-called "recovery plan" brings no
significantdecrease in fishing pressure or meaningful protection of
bluefin tunaduring its breeding period. In addition to ignoring
scientificrecommendations that only 15,000 tonnes of tuna be caught
annually, EUofficials also blocked attempts to stop pirate fishing.
Bluefin tuna inthe Mediterranean suffers from one of the highest
rates of illegalcatches in the world, with catches over 50,000
tonnes despite a legalquota last year of 32,000 tonnes.
"There is no hope of recovery in this plan. It serves no purpose
otherthan supporting a tuna fishing and ranching industry that has
no long-term future. All it offers is an amnesty for pirates and a
deathsentence for the bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean", said
StephanBeaucher, Greenpeace France Oceans Campaigner.
The state of the bluefin tuna fishery in the Mediterranean is
yetanother clear example of governments and Regional Fisheries
ManagementOrganisations failure to guarantee the sustainable
management of themarine resources they claim to take responsibility
for.
Other contacts: Greenpeace delegation to ICCAT :Sebastian Losada: + 34 626 998 254Stéphan Beaucher: + 33 627 661 481Greenpeace Oceans campaign on board Rainbow Warrior: François Provost: +33 623 590 963 Antje Helms: + 436 642 148 952 Onboard press officer: Szabina Mozes: + 36 205 155 928
Notes: (1) The quota adopted is 29,500 t for 2007, 28,500 t for 2008, 27,500 t for 2009 and 25,500 t for 2010.