The European Commission is closing the bluefin tuna fishing season early because of depleted stocks, imposing a ban that will take effect on Thursday.
The ban covers fishing grounds in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic.
It affects industrial purse seine fishing, which accounts for more than 70% of the annual EU tuna catch, the Commission says.
The fleets are concentrated in France, Spain and Italy. The season was originally due to end on 15 June.
Purse seine nets have a rope that is drawn through rings to trap the fish, like a drawstring.
"The closure of the purse seine fishery is necessary to protect the fragile stock of bluefin tuna and to ensure its recovery, as envisaged by the recovery plan of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (Iccat)," the Commission said.
"The Commission has declared a zero tolerance approach towards overfishing and will take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance across the board."
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10274242.stm
About Oceanic Defense
We are an international non-profit organization with members in over 60 countries, spanning 6 continents with 1 mission; healthy aquatic ecosystems free from human abuse and neglect. Oceanic Defense teaches people to protect our oceans by acting responsibly as consumers and by making smart decisions in our daily lives. Whether we are buying groceries, commuting to work, planning a vacation or advocating within our own communities; each action we take or decision we make either helps or hurts our oceans. We empower people to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem and work together to protect our blue planet.
Join us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/OceanicDefense
Visit our official website:www.oceanicdefense.org
Follow us on Twitter:www.twitter.com/OceanicDefense
No comments:
Post a Comment