Bluefin tuna specimens. (Photo Credit: Greenpeace)
Greenpeace makes strong claims at bluefin tuna auction
TAIWAN
Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 02:50 (GMT + 9)
Amid Greenpeace’s protests for better protection measures to be implemented for the bluefin tuna, the sale of the first landing of the species took place in the framework of the first Pingtung Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival.
The auction for the “first tuna” was actually for two fish that were caught at about the same time by a Donggang fishing boat and together were sold for TWD 2.89 million (USD 95.600), The Taipei Times informed.
Greenpeace attended the auction holding banners that read: “Fisheries Agency, save the last tuna” and “Conservation must be done to prevent reduced numbers of bluefin tuna.”
Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Hu Hsing-hua remarked that although the regional fisheries management organization limits bluefin tuna fishing boats to 660 in the nation’s waters in the Pacific Ocean, the Fisheries Agency only gave permission to 458 boats this year and only allows longline fishing.
According to the NGO, since the first festival in 2001, the bluefin tuna catch has dropped by about 90 per cent, adding that 6,686 tuna were caught during the festival in 2001, but only 505 were caught last year.
Besides, Greenpeace stressed that the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean reported that the reduction rate of bluefin tuna was about 96.4 per cent from 1952 to 2011.
“We are not against the festival, but we want to stress that the large decline in the numbers of bluefin tuna caught reflects the fact that ocean resources are facing critical risks [of depletion],” oceans campaigner Yen Ning stressed.
“The Fisheries Agency should work with other nations to work out more effective management measures,” Yen added.
Although the total tonnage of bluefin tuna catch by Taiwanese boats is less than other countries that use the purse seine fishing method, which traps even young fish, “restoration of the bluefin tuna population relies on the cooperative efforts of all fishing countries,” Yen highlighted.
The festival has been scheduled to start on 3 May and is intended not only to promote tasty food, but also to drive the development of related industries as the festival has brought economic benefits from tourism each year.
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