Nairobi, December 6 (IPS) – The Atlantic bluefin tuna is one of the largest, fastest and most colorful of all fish in the world. They can be more than 10 feet long, weigh more than 700 kg and can live more than 30 years. With metallic blue on top and silvery white glitter on the bottom, the giant bony fish is a sight to behold.
But human interaction with Atlantic bluefin tuna is not always sustainable. Highly migratory and warm-blooded, they swim every year to the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean to breed, making them more accessible to fishermen.
The IPBES assessment report on sustainable use of wild speciesreleased in July 2022, offers critical perspectives on the global biodiversity crisis and how wildlife use approaches can aid the protection and recovery of species. there.
IPBES research shows that while 50,000 species of wildlife currently help meet the needs of billions of people worldwide, providing food, cosmetics, shelter, clothing, medicine and inspiration, Millions of plant and animal species are facing extinction with far-reaching consequences.
Approved by representatives of the 139 member countries of IPBES in Bonn, Germany, the report addresses a number of endangered wild species, highlighting challenges that undermine their sustainable use, providing provides best practices and possible directions based on the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.
With regard to Atlantic bluefin tuna, the IPBES report highlights that the species has been sustainably harvested for two millennia by different traditional fisheries. As with many other fish stocks worldwide, the development of more modern and industrial fisheries followed World War II in both the North Atlantic and Mediterranean and quickly overtook traditional fisheries. system.
The report also shows that the rise of the sashimi market during the 1980s brought attention to strong demand for fresh Atlantic bluefin tuna from Japan. During this time, there was overfishing of southern bluefin tuna stocks, which had been the main source of tuna for the Japanese market until then.
As this species becomes much sought after sushi and sashimi in Asia, the value of Atlantic bluefin tuna increases, and the species is described by the media as worth in gold, demonstrating through the annual New Year’s auction at the Tsukiji fish market, where a single bluefin tuna can sell for up to $3 million.”
Motivated by these high prices, fishermen have deployed even more sophisticated techniques to catch the delicious giant fish and have caught even larger quantities using the fishing nets. advanced longline fishing boat.
Conservationists were worried, especially because this large bony fish is voracious and a top predator in the marine food chain, which is important in maintaining balance in the ocean environment.
The overcapacity of fishing boats, combined with illegal fishing practices, has brought the Atlantic giant’s population to dangerously low levels.
Factors such as the high value of Atlantic bluefin tuna, coupled with inadequate enforcement of applicable rules and regulations, as well as the pursuit of short-term profits and economic growth, are prioritized. priority over conservation, creating difficult waters for this iconic species.
The IPBES report found that “severe and unchecked overcapacity, also due to mismanagement at both the international and national levels, has created serious overexploitation of resources and problems.” serious problem of illegal fishing. “
The increasing value of Atlantic bluefin tuna has led to a sharp increase in the efficiency of fishing and the capacity of different fleets, as well as the introduction of preservation technologies and farming practices. new planting.
“The failure of Atlantic bluefin tuna management at the time was partly due to the multilateral nature of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, the regional fisheries organization responsible for monitoring and tuna management and Atlantic tuna species and consensus-based decision-making.”
Furthermore, conflicts of interest among many Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing nations have impeded strong decision-making, particularly in limiting catches. Against this backdrop, the scientific body of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna has alerted the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, the governing body, about the status of fin tuna stocks. important Atlantic blue in the 1990s.
However, the IPBES report found that “at the time, scientific advice had little effect on fisheries lobbying, which had the greatest impact on sustaining catch levels. high. In particular, questioning the scientific advice of Atlantic bluefin tuna through uncertainty is often used by various lobbying groups that want to advance their own agendas. surname.”
During the 2000s, environmental NGOs attempted to draw public attention to the poor stock status of Atlantic bluefin tuna. As a result, managers began to pay more attention to scientific advice and implemented a rebuilding plan for the first time in 2007, which was reinforced in the following years.
The final Atlantic bluefin reconstruction plan is ambitious, as it includes reduced fishing seasons for major fleets, increased minimum catch sizes, new tools for monitoring and control. fishing activities, reducing catch capacity and annual quota.
Rigorously enforced, these measures proved successful: They quickly led to a rebuilding of the population. The latest analyzes clearly show that today Atlantic bluefin tuna is no longer overfished; stock size, in fact, is increasing.
The IPBES report concludes that the Atlantic bluefin tuna case clearly shows that effective management of international fisheries that capture high-value species that have been overfished for decades is possible. can be done with strong political will.
It also shows that “the uncertainty inherent to any scientific advice is a source of misunderstanding, sometimes manipulation, between scientists and regulators, who to For them, uncertainty is often seen as bad advice.”
“Moreover, these uncertainties can be weaponized by powerful political lobbies, knowingly or not, to promote a particular cause. As in all fields of science, aquatic scientists cannot provide certainties, but only probabilities and sometimes a consensus explanation.”
In that context, more science is needed to make less volatile and better management recommendations, as this is a prerequisite for the long-term sustainable use of plant and animal species.
Report of the UN IPS Office
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