Bluefin tuna stocks in the western Atlantic are on the rise, according to the international group responsible for their conservation, but they are still much lower than four decades ago.
The biennial report from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) shows bluefin numbers are up as much as 10% over 2008.
"The new assessment does seem to be more optimistic than the previous assessment," said Faith Scattalon, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans official responsible for setting tuna fishing quotas.
There is further good news in the report. It noted 2003 was a great year for tuna births, and these fish are now getting old enough to spawn. On the downside, Scatallon said the bluefin tuna population is still 70% below what it was 40 years ago.
But DFO scientist John Neilson said there is reason for optimism. "As long as we are not too demanding, as far as fishery yields, we'll start to see the population build up from its current state," he said.
New quotas will be set for the next three years at meetings later this month. After record catches this fall, many Canadian fishermen are calling for more fish.
But environmental groups are still trying to list bluefin tuna as an endangered species and say it is too early to start celebrating a turnaround in tuna.
Among uncertainties is the effect of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Data released recently showed at least 20% of this year's juvenile bluefin may have died in the spill.
[Source: CBC News]
