After labelling it one of the most important decisions to be made at the upcoming CITES, WWF has welcomed the confirmation from European Union member states that they will vote for a ban on international commercial trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna.

The proposal to list Atlantic bluefin tuna on CITES Appendix I was submitted by the Principality of Monaco in October. The species is at serious risk of commercial extinction because of decades of unsustainable and illegal fishing in the Mediterranean Sea, driven by demand from Japan’s luxury seafood markets.

The eligibility of Atlantic bluefin tuna to be moved into the highest level of protection that CITES can offer is backed by independent experts including a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization panel, and the scientific committee of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

The backing of the 27 EU members is a huge boost, with the growing number of countries supporting the proposal expected to increase as a result of the EU’s pledge.

“The EU is a major trade and development partner in many key regions of the world, and some countries may have been hanging back on Atlantic bluefin tuna to see what the Europeans would decide to do,” said Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean.

Among the countries who have confirmed their support is the USA and now that the EU is on board as well, the WWF believes that together they provide a powerful message to help the campaign.

“With the two largest holders of bluefin tuna fishing quota on either side of the Atlantic – the U.S. and EU – now supporting the trade ban, other countries should follow suit,” Dr Tudela said.

Tudela now hopes that this increased support will ensure that the proposal becomes a reality at CITES: “Other governments must back the ban when they meet for CITES later this week.”

“WWF welcomes the EU announcement, which will give this devastated species the possibility to recover.”

JOIN WWF TODAY