WWF UK is applauding the UK Government’s strong stance on calling for an international trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna. Thanks to the UK’s support to the Appendix I listing at the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it is now hoped that other countries will follow suit.
Species Trade & Policy Officer at WWF-UK, Heather Sohl, said –
An international trade ban is the last hope for threatened Atlantic bluefin tuna, following decades of overfishing and mismanagement of the remaining stocks. UK support for this ban is crucial and WWF is delighted that the UK Government has shown a strong commitment to protect this species. We hope this announcement will build further momentum towards agreement of an immediate and unconditional Appendix I listing at the CITES meeting in March.
With extra support mounting from the likes of Italy and France, there is now mounting pressure on Spain, who currently hold the EU presidency. If Spain were to follw the unifed stance of the UK and it’s fellow supporters, then other EU member States and the European Commission would soon follow suit.
