By Martin Banks - 22nd September 2009
The blinkered attitude of Mediterranean governments would drive bluefin tuna to extinction
Greenpeace
EU fisheries ministers have been condemned after they blocked a proposal to back a worldwide ban on bluefin tuna fishing to help depleted stocks to recover.
The European commission had called on member states to support a proposal from Monaco for a temporary global ban at an international summit next March after years of heavy fishing in the Mediterranean, mainly to supply Japan.
EU environment commissioner Stavos Dimas said the commission supported a two-year temporary ban.
But southern fishing states led by Spain and Malta, the centre of the bluefin industry, were backed by France, Greece, Italy and Cyprus in resisting calls for a ban led by Britain and other northern states.
The decision, taken at an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels on Monday, has left environmental groups fuming.
Saskia Richartz, EU oceans policy director at Greenpeace, said the "blinkered" attitude of Mediterranean governments will "drive bluefin tuna to extinction and leave fishermen with nothing to fish in just a few years."
"But countries like Malta and Spain are increasingly isolated and there is a growing will among EU environment ministers to save this beautiful animal."
She said Greenpeace now called on EU environment ministers to "listen to scientific advice and save bluefin tuna by supporting its listing as an endangered species."
She added, "To save other fish stocks from imminent collapse, Greenpeace also calls for a global network of fully protected marine reserves, covering 40 per cent of our oceans.
"Marine reserves are essential to ensure clean and healthy oceans and protect marine life from overfishing and habitat destruction.
"Healthy oceans can also play a vital role in building resilience against the devastating effects of climate change."
The decision was also attacked by two other conservation groups, Oceana and Marviva.
Xavier Pastor, executive director for Oceana in Europe, said,"We are disappointed at the irresponsible behaviour of EU member states in rejecting support for the Monaco proposal.
"The proposal, which was intended to ban international trade in order to preserve the species, was strongly opposed by Mediterranean countries.
“It is deplorable that the EU member states who are mostly responsible for the depletion of bluefin tuna stocks, refused to agree a measure that would have helped reverse the situation.
"They continue to defend the interests of the tuna fishing industry with apparent disregard for the fact they are pushing tuna to the point of no return."
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