Senators Scott Brown, Snowe, Collins, and Shaheen, and Representatives Frank, Michaud, Pingree, Lynch, Tierney, and Delahunt have written NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco regarding ICCAT and western Atlantic bluefin tuna.
They write “The Senate is currently considering a Resolution describing [enforcement of ICCAT policies] and asking the U.S. delegation to ensure ICCAT holds to its commitment to the stipulations laid out in the Commission’s Recommendation 09-06; to pursue stronger enforcement and compliance measures; and to strenuously defend U.S. quotas of all ICCAT managed species, including swordfish and bluefin tuna. In addition, we wish to request that the U.S. delegation pursue a modest, yet scientifically justifiable increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) of western Atlantic bluefin tuna from the current level of 1,800 metric tons (mt)."