Governments attending the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have rejected an EU-backed proposal to ban trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna to give the species time to reproduce.Japan, Canada and several Arab League countries yesterday (18 March) rejected a proposal to effectively suspend international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna until stocks are no longer threatened with extinction. They argued that the decline of bluefin tuna stocks would be best tackled by regional fisheries management organisations such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). They also argued that banning trade "would not stop the fishing of the species" anyway.
Japan, Canada and several Arab League countries yesterday (18 March) rejected a proposal to effectively suspend international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna until stocks are no longer threatened with extinction.
They argued that the decline of bluefin tuna stocks would be best tackled by regional fisheries management organisations such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). They also argued that banning trade "would not stop the fishing of the species" anyway.
As the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) meeting in Doha discusses a possible ban, Kouchner told Japanese media that it should not be introduced until the publication of a report on bluefin tuna stocks due to be issued by a Cites panel in May next year. "I hope that an irreversible decision will not be made until the danger of extinction is scientifically proved", he said.
As the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) meeting in Doha discusses a possible ban, Kouchner told Japanese media that it should not be introduced until the publication of a report on bluefin tuna stocks due to be issued by a Cites panel in May next year.
"I hope that an irreversible decision will not be made until the danger of extinction is scientifically proved", he said.
