For Oceana, the reduction of the bluefin tuna quota approved by ICCAT 'is almost laughable'. (Photo: YouTube, oceanaorg/NOAA/FIS)

ICCAT reduces bluefin tuna quota by only 4 per cent

WORLDWIDE
Monday, November 29, 2010, 22:50 (GMT + 9)

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) decided to reduce the current quota of bluefin tuna from 13,500 tonnes to 12,900 tonnes for 2011, a resolution that does not conform with the demands of environmentalists or businesses.

The 48 member countries of the organization, gathered at the 17th Special Meeting of ICCAT over 10 days, to negotiate fishing quotas for bluefin tuna for next year, and resolved a reduction of only 4 per cent.

This measure is considered insufficient by numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who expected a cut of around 50 per cent. The fishermen, meanwhile, sought to maintain the quota at its current level as last year the TAC had been cut by 40 per cent, a decrease which in their opinion guaranteed the future of the fishery.

The most affected country is France, which will go from being able to catch 2,000 tonnes to just 600 tonnes, as a penalty for exceeding the quota allocated in 2007. This quota will be maintained until 2012, when the next meeting of the Commission will review it's actions.

Spain will have to cut their catches by 4 per cent to just over 2,400 tonnes, compared with the 2,500 tonnes that they were permitted to land this year.

Besides the cuts in the TAC, the Commission decided to increase controls to prevent illegal fishing, at the request of Japan, the largest importer of this product that produces the popular sushi.

The ICCAT resolution states that with this reduced quota of bluefin tuna, fishing grounds will be secured by 60 per cent by 2020. However, Juan Serrano, assistant general manager of the Balfegó group, argues alongside the rest of the fishermen that "the 4 per cent cut was not necessary and adds nothing extra to maintaining the species."

In the opposite lane are environmental organizations that consider this as insufficient in protecting the endangered species.

Rémi Parmentier, Pew representative, expressed disappointment with the agreement: "Neither the EU nor ICCAT have faced their responsibility to save the bluefin tuna," he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Oceana proposes a full closure of the bluefin tuna fishery "until a system is in place that follows scientific advice on catch levels, ensures stock recovery, stops illegal fishing, and protects bluefin tuna spawning areas in the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean Sea."

"This trivial quota reduction is a political decision, not a science-based one," said María José Cornax, fisheries campaigns manager for Oceana.

"This political outcome is not good for the fish or the fisherman, and will certainly result in further stock depletion," she summed-up.

From the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also came sharp criticism.

"Greed and lack of management have been imposed again," said Sergi Tudela, the head of fisheries for the WWF Mediterranean Programme. For the environmentalist, the interest of ICCAT, "is not the sustainability of the species, but only short-term interests."

Related articles:

- Greenpeace increases demands over closure of bluefin fishery
- Japan proposes ban on bluefin tuna
- EU reaches 'pitiful' compromise on tuna position

By Silvina Corniola
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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