Posted on November, 17 2012

Agadir, Morocco: Crucial decisions will be made on the future sustainability of Atlantic bluefin tuna at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) over the next 48 hours, says WWF.

“Increasing quotas in addition to the illegal fishing that occurs could have devastating consequences for the species. Strong leadership and science based decisions need to be made.” said Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries, WWF-Mediterranean.

ICCAT`s Scientific Committee has advised that the bluefin tuna quota in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean should remain the same and not exceed 12,900 tonnes annually for the next three years to give the species a chance at recovery.

“Our recent exposé on unreported bluefin tuna traded through Panama highlights the extreme need for strong leadership and science based decisions here at ICCAT.  Increasing quotas for the next three years could undo all the positive work done to date and reverse any possibility of recovery.” Tudela stated.

WWF is at the 18th Special Meeting of the Commission in Agadir, Morocco, where ICCAT`s contracting parties, which include Japan, the US, Canada, Morocco, Tunisia and the European Union are again determining management measures for a range of tunas and tuna-like species.

Contacts:
Chantal Ménard, Communications Manager, WWF-Mediterranean,
cmenard@wwfmedpo.org
Tel +39 346 235 7481 or + 212 636 56 46 73 i

Helen Pitman, Communications Manager, WWF International,
hpitman@wwfint.org
Tel +41 79 303 9633

More information
www.panda.org/bluefintuna