Oceana and Marviva welcome European Commission support for bluefin tuna listing in CITES

The European Commission, after long internal discussions, has decided to support the Proposal of the Principality of Monaco for a total ban on international trade of bluefin tuna in CITES

Press Release Date: April 30, 2010

Location: Madrid

Contact:

Marta Madina | email: mmadina@oceana.org | tel.: Marta Madina

Oceana, the international marine conservation organisation, and Fundación Marviva have been urging the Commission to support the listing of bluefin tuna on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Last week it sent letters to the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner, Mr Joe Borg, and the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Stavros Dimas, asking for their support for the Monaco proposal[i]. This measure, used for protecting species threatened with extinction from trade, would imply a total ban on international trade.

Xavier Pastor, Executive Director of Oceana in Europe stated: “Taking into account that the European Union has the highest bluefin tuna quota, this is an extremely needed and encouraging step towards the only measure that can reverse the decline of bluefin tuna stocks. Now, the EU Member States should follow the lead of the Commission by supporting the Monaco proposal. We urge them to show the commitment needed to save this species.” 

Oceana, the international marine conservation organisation, and Fundación Marviva have been urging the Commission to support the listing of bluefin tuna on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Last week it sent letters to the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner, Mr Joe Borg, and the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Stavros Dimas, asking for their support for the Monaco proposal[i]. This measure, used for protecting species threatened with extinction from trade, would imply a total ban on international trade.

Xavier Pastor, Executive Director of Oceana in Europe stated: “Taking into account that the European Union has the highest bluefin tuna quota, this is an extremely needed and encouraging step towards the only measure that can reverse the decline of bluefin tuna stocks. Now, the EU Member States should follow the lead of the Commission by supporting the Monaco proposal. We urge them to show the commitment needed to save this species.” 

 


[i] Read the letter at: http://europe.oceana.org/index.php?id=3052

 


[i] Read the letter at: http://europe.oceana.org/index.php?id=3052