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Efforts to save bluefin tuna have been dealt a blow after the European Union dropped its demand for commercial fishing of the species to be banned.
The European Commission had called on the 27 EU states to support a global ban to allow stocks to recover. But Mediterranean fishing nations, including Spain, Italy, Malta and France, resisted the move in Brussels yesterday.
Those countries export the fish to Japan, where it is a sushi delicacy. Their representatives argued the ban could put thousands of jobs at risk. Support for the ban had come from Britain and other northern European nations.
It followed a celebrity-backed campaign after the film The End of the Line exposed how overfishing was threatening the species with extinction. Restaurants across the world pledged to stop selling bluefin tuna.
Greenpeace was angered by France's decision after president Nicolas Sarkozy promised two weeks ago to support the ban. Saskia Richartz, EU oceans policy director at Greenpeace, added: "The blinkered attitude of Mediterranean governments would drive bluefin tuna to extinction."
Reader views (3)
"Their representatives argued the ban could put thousands of jobs at risk"
How very shortsighted, and what will they do when they've fished tuna to extinction in 5 years time?
- Bob, Cheam
There are more important things in life than the fate of the blue fin tuna. EVERYTHING becomes extinct someday, for one reason or another. No exceptions. Live with it.
- Rogan, Irving
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn.
- Alan Green, England. The forgotten country.
