April 11, 2014 — The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a legal petition urging the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prohibit fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna.
The NGO highlights that the population of this once-abundant fish has suffered a 96 per cent decline since large-scale fishing began, triggering a requirement for the Pacific Fishery Management Council (NMFC) to recommend new regulations for managing Pacific bluefin tuna by 8 April. But claims that the council has declined to take any action to help bluefin.
“Despite the bluefin tuna’s great speed and deep-diving, it can’t escape the world’s insatiable appetite for sushi,” said Center Attorney Catherine Kilduff. “Saving Pacific bluefin tuna requires drastic action at all levels, starting by protecting them in the feeding grounds off California and Mexico.”
The petition calls for the NMFS to add Pacific bluefin tuna to a list of imperiled species that must be released immediately if caught, including great white sharks and other fish vulnerable to steep declines from fishing.