EU: tuna decision ‘step in right direction’

30 Nov 2010
The EU has maintained its share in the bluefin fishery.

The EU has maintained its share in the bluefin fishery.

European Union fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki said the small reduction in the bluefin tuna quota agreed upon at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting is a step in the right direction.

Damanaki said the ICCAT meeting in Paris, which closed on Saturday 27 November, produced results which represent “a step in the right direction for sustainable management” of bluefin tuna and other species.

ICCAT approved a 2011 eastern Atlantic bluefin fishing quota of 12,900 tonnes, down just 600 tonnes from last year’s quota of 13,500 tonnes.

“This is important not just for ICCAT waters and stocks, but for fisheries management globally, and for the EU as a whole,” she said.

“ICCAT has agreed on a reduction of the catches of bluefin tuna for the next year. Moreover, the new allocation key agreed has allowed the EU to maintain its share in the fishery, which is good news for our fishermen and industry, and reflects the leading role the EU has played towards the recovery of this stock.

“This year, ICCAT has also emphasized the importance of control and compliance procedures, which are crucial to our long-term success. The EU will continue to work with those countries that are not fully compliant to ensure that they fulfil their obligations.

“Our work does not end with this meeting, however. The EU will continue to work hard to ensure the long-term sustainability of bluefin tuna, sharks and all the other sensitive stocks managed by ICCAT."

 ICCAT is the fishery organisation responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. The EU is one of its 48 members.

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The EU has maintained its share in the bluefin fishery. The EU has maintained its share in the bluefin fishery. Image copyright © Mercator Media 2017, or image used with permission of the copyright holder unless otherwise stated.