Major companies and organisations have joined WWF in a commitment to healthy oceans by signing an open letter appealing to the European Commission and Member States to take action, before it is too late, for bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean.

As the bluefin tuna fishing season in the Mediterranean is about to begin, WWF and supporting companies and organisations are calling on the European Commission and Member States to set aside half of the fishing quota for bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean this year. This would bring fishing levels in line with scientific advice. They are also urging the European Commission to put in place a sensible management plan to bring bluefin tuna and the fishery back from the brink.

“This engagement of retailers and other organisations from across Europe is a strong encouragement to the EU to take action to give bluefin tuna a chance of survival in the Mediterranean,” said Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean. “Not doing so would be an admission that we are incapable of managing a common resource of value to all.”

In recent years, high-tech fishing fleets have hunted down, often illegally, ever-declining numbers of these ocean giants. It is now likely that the magnificent bluefin tuna, the fish behind the finest sushi in the world, will disappear from the Mediterranean forever – unless action is taken now.

These companies and organisations are asking the European Commission to take action on the bluefin:

• WWF International, Global Marine Programme – Dr Simon Cripps

• Marine Conservation Society – UK – Mrs Sam Fanshawe

• ASDA – UK – Mr Chris Brown

• METRO Group – Germany – Mr Hans-Juergen Matern, Mr Marc Oliver Heinze

• Auchan – France – Mr Arnaud Mulliez, Mr Philippe Baroukh

• Moshi Moshi – UK – Ms Caroline Bennett

• Laurus N.V. – Netherlands – Dr J. (Jan) G.B. Brouwer

• Albert Heijn B.V. – Netherlands – Mr Dick Boer

• Deutsche See – Germany – Dr Peter Dill, Mr Egbert Miebach

• FRoSTA AG – Germany – Mrs Birgit Renken

• Ozean Fisch- und Feinkosterzeugung – Austria – Dr Jasmin Löffler

• C+C Pfeiffer – Austria – Dr Manfred Hayböck, Mr Gernot Brückl

• COOP – Switzerland – Dr Felix Wehrle

• Sloeberry Trading Ltd – UK – Mrs Geetie Singh

• Slow Food International – Mr Carlo Petrini

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