SavingSeaFood - Center for Biological Diversity challenges NMFS rules on bluefin tuna

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Center for Biological Diversity challenges NMFS rules on bluefin tuna

SUMMIT COUNTY —Conservation advocates are challenging a new fisheries rule that increases the take of rare Atlantic bluefin tuna, a species already under pressure from overfishing and illegal commerce driven in part by Japan’s nearly insatiable demand for sushi-grade tuna.

The Center for Biological Diversity last week filed a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service challenging seeking to halt the dramatic expansion of commercial fishing from Massachusetts to Florida in an effort to prevent bluefin from being fished to extinction.

“Bluefin tuna were once the giants of the sea, but overfishing has depleted the ocean of this remarkable fish. It’s completely backwards to ramp up fishing of bluefin tuna at a time when they’re increasingly rare,” said Catherine Kilduff, a staff attorney at the Center.

The fisheries service says the rule will convert potential dead discards to live landings and expand fishing commercial and recreational fishing opportunities.

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HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act

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