Last week, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICATT) met in Brazil for its annual meeting, where the 48 contracting parties are under pressure to decide on measures that will ensure the long-term survival of a species, which environmental groups claim, has long been the victim of illegal and over-fishing, disregard for rules and science, and being targeted by far too many boats.
ICATT are responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have said that ICATT have failed to ensure the sustainable commercial exploitation of bluefin tuna. They believe the only way to reestablish stocks of bluefin tuna are to completely stop fishing the breed.
ICATT have proposed a moratorium, to help fish stocks recover and are considering a ban on all international commercial trade.
According to WWF, the Atlantic bluefin tuna spawning population has declined to below 15 per cent of pre-fishing levels.
Bluefin Tuna Face Extinction
WASHINGTON - An International fisheries group set up to protect Atlantic tuna has done the opposite and driven one species of the fish, the bluefin, to the edge of extinction, environmentalists believe.
