There is hope for tuna. The condition of this species became very worrying a few years ago, but significant developments are taking place., thanks to concrete measures taken by governments and other organizations. Now, a new step has been taken in this direction that could reinforce this recovery. The international conservation organization WWF is a member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). New strategy for sustainable capture and management of Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tunabecause in the long run it will ensure the health of the species and represents “unprecedented progress” requests the parties to implement it immediately.
The protection unit in question expressed itself in these terms, referring to the decision taken at the ICCAT meeting held in Val do Lobo (Portugal). Additionally, in light of this agreement, WWF encourages the European Union to ensure the sustainable management of other fish stocks managed by this international organisation.
And it’s a deal of great importance to the future of tuna. 51 fishing countries that make up ICCAT They agreed to ban the keeping of live South Atlantic short-finned mako fish, pursue a recovery plan for big-eyed tuna, and approve a share of Mediterranean albacore that should effectively end overfishing.
In this sense, the WWF explains that the new strategy will allow ICCAT to manage the eastern and western Atlantic stockpiles with objective rules (known as the Fishing Rules) agreed at this meeting. population, Depositizing short-term management decisions.
He also adds that these measures will be related to the situation of the population. It will allow the stability of fisheries and markets to be maintained while minimizing the risk of depletion of the tuna stock. in the future.
Raúl García, WWF Spain fisheries coordinator, said that the adoption of the new catching strategy Beginning of a “new era” for Atlantic bluefin tuna management.
It also highlights that it will have a global impact because will set an “example” for the rest of the regional tuna organizations. “Through the concerted efforts of the Contracting Parties, scientists and all interested parties, we will be able to ensure the survival and health of these populations,” said the WWF head of fisheries.
Along the same lines, he thinks the bluefin tuna example shows: Fisheries managers have effective tools to repair damage caused by overfishing. In this way, he argues that an abundant fish population is provided for the benefit of the marine ecosystem and fishing communities.
Bluefin tuna recovering
“The recovery of the bluefin tuna population has allowed TAC (total catches allowed) to triple from its minimum level ten years ago, to distribute wealth among fishing communities. The increase approved for 2023-2025 is precisely due to these capture rules and should fundamentally benefit fleets of tradesmen who were particularly hurt or excluded in previous quota distributions.”
Finally, WWF also acknowledges the efforts of the ICCAT Contracting Parties to reach an agreement on the allocation of the Mediterranean albacore quota this year, following the improvement plan adopted last year. With the current regulation, the current overfishing of albacore in the Mediterranean has been effectively ended.
It now urges NGO scientists and fisheries managers to develop a management plan that ensures sustainable exploitation and equitable and equitable allocation of quotas for tropical tuna, particularly the lark, which remains an overfished object in the Atlantic.
Same way, Calls on fishing countries to reduce unwanted shark catches and that they have taken spatial management measures to effectively limit the death rate and thus give the mako “a real chance of recovery.”
However, the NGO stresses the need to maximize the scope of observers and monitor the impact of changing gear and bait to prevent the increase in accidental captures of other vulnerable species such as sharks.
……
Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]