A proposal to list Bluefin Tuna - a species that has declined by 85% - under CITES Appendix 1 has been rejected. Is there any hope for endangered fish species at all?
If these declines were for a mammal or bird they would have been listed long ago, but because they are a fish they are declined any form of protection. Just a handful of fish and sharks are listed despite many more suffering massive declines due to overfishing that still continues, and no doubt more fish will soon be added to that growing list as people seek out new species to replace the ones that are disappearing. ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) have proven time and time again that they are as much use as a chocolate fireguard when it comes to conserving tuna with illegal fishing rife and countries constantly finding loopholes in every bit of legislation.
Is there any future for bluefin tuna or with they soon be added to the ever-growing list of species mankind has driven to extinction?
Once again, the considerations for the future of a species comes second to the ruthless commercial gains to be had from them - especially as declining stocks make prices for them soar making them an even bigger reward for those who catch them.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Hi Kat, that is so sad, I see three quarters of the blue fin trade goes to japan where a single fish can go for over a 100,000 american dollars, let's hope it gets priced out the market if nothing is going to be done about it, and demand for it lessens then hopefully numbers may start to recover.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
Unknown said: Hi Kat, that is so sad, I see three quarters of the blue fin trade goes to japan where a single fish can go for over a 100,000 american dollars, let's hope it gets priced out the market if nothing is going to be done about it, and demand for it lessens then hopefully numbers may start to recover.
Unfortunately it doesn't work that way because the higher the prices go the more sought after something becomes because it becomes a sign of wealth and there will always be someone weathy enough to buy it, especially when the weath of people is increasing meaning more people can afford it.
Hey KatTai,
Have you seen the blog post by our Conservation Director on this subject? It's all very sad, and just another example of not seeing the bigger (or longer term) picture....
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Hi Lucinda,
Thanks for pointing me to that blog, it makes for interesting reading.
Kat