Rather than accepting a strict recovery plan for East Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna, delegates attending a meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted a weak European Union (EU) plan that includes a catch quota of 29,500 tonnes in 2007 compared to 15,000 tonnes recommended by ICCAT scientists. The plan also allows fishing during the peak spawning season, which is the worst possible decision for a depleted stock.

Several countries attending the meeting, including the US, Canada and Norway, had strongly supported scientific recommendations for stock recovery of Mediterranean bluefin tuna, but their proposals were rejected. Sadly the EU betrayed its obligation to sustainably manage fisheries for the sake of the short-term interests of its own bluefin tuna industry.

WWF is shocked and disappointed by this disastrous result and is calling on the EU to be held directly responsible for the collapse of this fishery.

Despite this setback WWF will continue to campaign for a strict recovery plan, which is the only hope for preserving this amazing species in the Mediterranean.

 View current campaigns