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Greenpeace: Overfishing Bigeye Must Stop

Greenpeace International is urging fishing nations to reduce catches of bigeye tuna before it becomes too late to rescue the stock status of this species. Warnings have been issued to the Western and Central Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) that time is running out.

Tuna fishing countries have been advised by Greenpeace to stop the overfishing of the region’s valuable bigeye tuna at a press conference that will be followed in Tokyo by a commission meeting.

Nations have also been asked to ensure that the stocks of other tropical tuna are managed in a sustainable manner.

Sari Tolvanen, Greenpeace International Oceans Campaigner said: “The commission’s scientific committee met just two weeks ago and warned again that bigeye tuna, mainly used for sashimi, is being overfished and urgent action needs to be taken. Yet every attempt to implement sustainable management has fallen short of scientific advice.”

It is believed that without strong action to put a stop to overfishing and deal with the over exploitation of bigeye tuna that coastal communities and fishing companies in the region could face losses as the stocks reduce and fleets have no choice but to fish elsewhere.

Fishing powers such as the EU, US, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, along with their fishing companies have mainly profited from this multi-billion dollar fishery. But these countries are now facing deep cuts to both purse seine fishing and FADs.

Efforts will be put into dramatically reducing fishing on FADs that attract juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tuna. Longline fishing used to catch mainly adult tunas for the lucrative sashimi market is also likely to face restrictions.

Tolvanen added: “It is now time to cut the amount of fishing in the region, ban harmful fishing techniques such as FADs and to reduce vessel numbers to sustainable and economic levels. They have to share the burden of conservation now that the tuna stocks and the entire ecosystem they depend on are in danger.”

Greenpeace believes that a precautionary approach is needed now before it is too late.