Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 9 • Number 16 • 18th September 2009

EC Backs Proposed Bluefin Tuna CITES Addition

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The European Commission (EC) has backed an initiative by Monaco to add bluefin tuna to a list of endangered species. The 8 September decision to support the addition of the fish to Annex I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) came after a longer than expected decision process (see Bridges Trade BioRes, 4 September 2009, http://ictsd.net/i/news/biores/54180/).

In a move that suggests they may not be fully committed to their decision, the EC insists that it reserves the right to re-examine the decision prior to the CITES Conference of the Parties in March 2010 when new species will be added to the Convention. The addition of bluefin tuna to CITES Annex I would automatically trigger a ban on all international trade.

In its consideration, the Commission says it will take into account recent scientific data on the subject, as well as decisions made at the yearly meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in November 2009.

“It is great news that the commission is showing its support for the proposal to give bluefin tuna the highest form of protection, which the UK is backing strongly,” said Hilary Benn, the environment secretary of the United Kingdom. “We’ll be speaking to other member states to get their agreement to back Monaco’s proposal, too.”

While many EU member-states are applauding the decision, others with a vested interest in bluefin tuna trade, such as Malta, have been vocal about their opposition to a ban. Malta, along with Spain and Italy, are important centres of bluefin fishing. Raul Romeva, a Spanish Member of the European Parliament was cautious about his support of the proposal, noting that the EU bears partial responsibility for the depleted bluefin stock due to a lack of illegal and underreported fishing enforcement.

Temporary bans on bluefin tuna trade were put into place in 2007 and 2008, and the new proposal would implement a complete ban for two years. Environmental campaigners argue that bluefin stocks have been so depleted that the average weight of the remainder of the species has been significantly declining. Experts claim that stocks have reached 18 percent of their reported numbers in 1970.

“Bluefin tuna populations have fallen to critically low levels.” said Willie Mackenzie of Greenpeace. “Today’s move doesn’t mean that this fish is saved yet. Member states still need to agree to support this ban, and follow the lead of countries like the UK.”

The Japanese, who reportedly import some 90 percent of bluefin tuna primarily for the sushi industry, claim to have been expecting a ban on the species for some time. However, officials say are opposed to a complete ban.

ICTSD reporting; “Commission warms to bluefin tuna ban,” EURACTIVE, 10 September 2009; “Europe backs ban on tuna fishing as bluefin comes under threat,” THE TIMES, 10 September 2009; “Europe moves closer to ban on bluefin tuna fishing,” THE GUARDIAN, 9 September 2009.