EU Pushes Through Tuna Catch Quota Cuts

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/2006/nov/27/112704257.html

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union forced through reductions in catch quotas for the threatened bluefin tuna, which produces one of the finest and most expensive fish dishes in the world, but was criticized for not backing bigger cuts, officials said Monday.

The fish has been a staple for Mediterranean communities since ancient time and scientists have said that cuts would have to be much more drastic to assure the commercial survival of the species.

The 42-member delegation meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas agreed on Sunday to cut catches in the east Atlantic and Mediterranean from 32,000 tons now to 25,500 tons in 2010.

"These measures are essential," said EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg. "The decisive measures agreed by ICCAT represent a realistic chance for the gradual recovery of bluefin tuna."

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