Results of an independent investigation launched this weekend have revealed a complex international black market in East Atlantic bluefin tuna worth an estimated $4 billion, with many cases of quota violation, widespread underreporting, use of banned spotter planes, catching of undersized fish, and even governmental misreporting coming to light. Reporters from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) have spent eight months investigating the fishery and trade of the highly... ...Read more »

The European Union’s Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has called for a significant cut in catches of East Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean and East Atlantic, ahead of the EU’s leadership role at a major fisheries management meeting next month. Commissioner Maria Damanaki announced her support of a substantial decrease in next year’s total allowable catch of the controversial fish yesterday in Strasbourg, at a meeting of the Greens of the European Parliament. WWF,... ...Read more »

The European Union has thrown its weight behind a ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna. Member states have agreed to back a ban during next week’s meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a spokesperson for the EU confirmed yesterday (11 March). “Europe will support a ban on the trade of bluefin tuna until stocks recover,” the spokesperson said. However, the EU is also backing exemptions for traditional fishermen and will call... ...Read more »