East Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna stocks reportedly are being decimated by illegal and unscrupulous fishing, the World Wildlife Fund reports. The report issued Wednesday by the Switzerland-headquartered WWF calls for an immediate closure of the fishery.
"Without cooperation from the European Union, United States' efforts to save bluefin tuna populations in the Atlantic will be unsuccessful," said Tom Grasso, director of the WWF's Marine Conservation Policy.
The report identifies fleets from the European Union (mainly France), Libya and Turkey as the main offenders of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The WWF said those nations are greatly exceeding their fishing quotas and deliberately failing to report much of their massive catches, thereby also avoiding paying taxes and bypassing sensible management.
"The European Commission risks bearing witness to the collapse of this centuries-old fishery," said Grasso. "We urge EU Fisheries Commissioner Borg to show leadership and call for an immediate total closure of the fishery, and request that he supports strong management measures at this November's (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) meeting that guarantee a future for the fishery."
Source: United Press International
