| EU must negotiate closure of the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery 2011-2013 |
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26 October 2010| Press release 26 October 2010 The European Union is legally obliged to negotiate for a closure of the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery for at least the next three years to protect dangerously depleted stocks, ClientEarth has advised the European Commission and Member States attending the European Fisheries Council meeting today. The EU is also obliged to prevent Member States fishing bluefin tuna whatever decision is reached by the international body responsible for deciding how much bluefin tuna should be caught in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, the International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The leading environmental law organisation has reviewed the EU’s duties set out in its own treaties and legislation, as well as under international law, in the light of yet to be published scientific evidence on stocks produced by the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) earlier this month. The SCRS indicated that bluefin tuna stocks are currently significantly depleted and that even if the fishery is closed immediately it will take many years for the stocks to recover to sustainable levels. ClientEarth is calling on the EU to fulfil its legal obligations at the ICCAT meeting on 17-27 November when negotiating how much bluefin tuna should be caught in the Mediterranean for the next three years. James Thornton, CEO of ClientEarth, says: “It is essential that the EU asks ICCAT to prevent any countries from fishing bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean for at least the next three years to allow the fish stocks to recover. The Member States with a financial interest in the bluefin tuna fishery must not be allowed to stand in the way of the EU fulfilling its legal obligations in ICCAT negotiations. “The EU’s position at ICCAT will be significant; bluefin tuna stocks in the Mediterranean are perilously low and unless there is an effective prohibition on fishing this magnificent species for at least the next three years it could take decades for the stock to recover.” ClientEarth’s briefing also highlights a duty upon the European Commission to reduce France’s future yearly quotas by a total more than 5,000 tons until it has repaid the balance of heavy overfishing seen, in particular, in 2007. James Thornton: “Bluefin tuna has been recklessly overfished for many years. Member states whose fleets have overfished in the past must be penalised for their failure to enforce the rules. It is essential that no countries are allowed to go fishing for bluefin tuna in the East Atlantic and Mediterranean for the next few years to allow stocks to return to sustainable levels. ” ENDS Notes to editors ClientEarth’s briefing is available here: Legal requirements to protect bluefin tuna under EU law: implications for ICCAT negotiations Media Contacts To speak to one of ClientEarth’s lawyers for comment and analysis ahead of or during the ICCAT meeting, please contact: Mike Haines | Communications officer | t. +44(0) 207 749 5978 | m. +44 (0)7538 418 460 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental law organisation based in London, Brussels and Warsaw. We are lawyers working at the interface of law, science and policy. Using the power of the law, we develop legal strategies and tools to address major environmental issues. As legal experts working in the public interest, we act to strengthen the work of our partners - both governments and NGOs. www.clientearth.org |
