Showdown looms for lucrative tuna industry

Who is doing the math? One early statement says 2.65 MILLION tons (a record) but the last paragraph says but quotas remain at +/- 13,400 and 1,750 tonnes for next year, are we confusing two scales here?

I think the high number refers to the estimated total catch of all tuna species, including the catch through over fishing and the lower figure for bluefin tuna only. So Japan wants to adapt conservation measures for one species of tuna, but opposes a reduction in quotas for bluefin tuna. It's all in the 'bluefin tuna= sushi lovers' of course.

Like most of these issues, will not get taken seriously until we have almost wiped out tuna.

A study by environment group the Pew Foundation found stocks of bluefin tuna, prized by sushi lovers, had fallen 96% from their original levels, with juveniles forming the majority of specimens now being caught, pushing the species closer to extinction.

I do not like environmentalists because they always exaggerate things and stand not for facts but for sensationalism. I wonder if this 96% drop is verified. ICCAT concluded that they continue the current catch quota because they do not know the current size of tuna stock.

Here is another think Pew Foundation says.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iccat-takes-positive-action-to-rebuild-atlantic-bluefin-tuna-populations-end-illegal-fishing-but-ignores-sharks-233314141.html

The western population of Atlantic bluefin tuna remains at just 36 percent of the 1970 level, a time when it had already been severely depleted by industrial overfishing.

OK. Then when was the "original level" measured, if someone ever did?

Doesnt the fact that only one bluefin tuna species exists and the other one is completely extinct makes anyone take notice ??? Not when its a multi billion dollar industry

I stopped eating tuna about 8yrs ago, I remember when tuna was something a Japanese occasionally had a piece or two, then by the late 90s you would see people gorging themselves on tuna, it was disgusting & still is to see so many Japanese obliviously stuffing lots of tuna in their chops! Far too many Japanese have no idea what conservation is & tuna's days are clearly numbered, its sad to witness their decimation.

For christs sake if things are endangered DONT EAT THEM! Its a simple concept

Who is doing the math? One early statement says 2.65 MILLION tons (a record) but the last paragraph says but quotas remain at +/- 13,400 and 1,750 tonnes for next year, are we confusing two scales here?

The only confusion was generated by you. The article clearly states that 2.65 million tons of tuna were taken from THE PACIFIC last year, while quotas would remain in effect at 13,400 tons for the EASTERN ATLANTIC and 1,750 tons in the WESTERN ATLANTIC. Literacy is a gift. Learn it. Treasure it.