ISSF says Bigeye tuna protection measures woefully inadaquate, calls for total seasonal closures
SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton - Nov 25, 2014
It is fair to say that within the global tuna complex, bluefin and bigeye tuna are facing the biggest challenges of overfishing and depletion.
On Bluefin, a number of positive steps have been taken in both the Atlantic and South Pacific, so that in the Atlantic stocks are now rebuilding, and in the South Pacific, Japan has taken an important market leadership role in limiting harvests of juvenile bluefin.
Unfortunately, it seems the same successess are eluding managers of Bigeye tuna. The largest fishery is under the jurisdiction of the Western and Central Pacific Fishereis Commission.
The WWF, a partner with ISSF, says "The current situation with bigeye indicates other failings at WCFPC that are forcing many in the market, the public and other stakeholders to ask, If WCPFC can’t get bigeye right when the science is so clear on needing to reduce catches, how can we trust that the rest of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) tuna fishery can be well managed?"
The ISSF, (International Tuna Sustainability Foundation) says that the stock is now below the limit reference set by the WCPFC, and overfishing is occuring. Fishing mortality has to be reduced by 36% in order to end overfishing.
Since 2009, measures have not been effective, says ISSF...
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