Sushi Otaku

Archive for November, 2007

(N.B. This is a follow on article from Troubles for Tuna III)

At the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna) meeting last week, a critical decision was to be made regarding the 2008 bluefin tuna quotas, a decision that could be one of the most important in saving the species. While the head of the ICCAT’s scientific committee pled that new restrictions were necessary to preserve the species (he in fact stated that the species’ “collapse at this point is probable”), the committee instead effectively raised quotas for 2008. Interestingly, no statement was issued at the conclusion of the meeting, leading me to conclude that they know that they may have signed the death warrant for the bluefin tuna by kowtowing to certain member nations who simply wanted more at the expense of the bluefin tuna.

The proposed “recovery plan” is rapidly turning out to be an extinction plan. The bluefin tuna is the most valuable fish in the sea, bringing in large streams of revenue to the fisheries (and nations) that harvest this creature. It is the most popular sushi item on the menu, and toro, the fatty belly meat, is considered a delicacy by sushi fans the world around. The ICCAT is doing their best to keep this item on the menu for the time being, but in a few years, good luck finding it anywhere as, at this rate, there will be no more bluefin tuna in our oceans to catch. I have stopped eating maguro and toro for now, and while I am just one person, each of you will need to make a decision as to whether you want to help save the species and make your opinion known, or act as if none of this matters. A world without toro is not a life-threatening issue, but to cause the extinction of another of Earth’s great species because of our greed, in my opinion, is. Feel free to contact the ICCAT by clicking the “contact us” link on their website to voice your concern, if you wish. I will be.

Meshi agare!
Warren
The sushi guy

One of the most popular sushi items, bluefin tuna, from which we get maguro, and toro, is almost gone. I have made a few posts about declining tuna stocks in Troubles for Tuna and Troubles for Tuna II, and am quite happy to be able to write that there may be some good news for toro lovers. In light of the recent severe decline in bluefin tuna stock, the United States is proposing to the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) a three to five year ban on bluefin tuna fishing in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Bill Hogarth, the US delegate and ICCAT chairman, has the backing of the US Senate, and as well as the World Wildlife Fund, which itself has been pushing for a ban. If the tuna is lucky, this support will push the ICCAT into action.

The European Commission has closed many fisheries this year when it was aware that quotas had been exceeded. While this is a commendable action, it is still too little, too late. In 2006, ICCAT scientists recommended that total catches of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin stock should not exceed 15,000 tonnes, however the “recovery plan” for 2007 actually set the new quota at 29,500 metric tonnes, almost twice the recommended level by its own scientists. Sound like a recovery plan to you? Nor does it to me. The results from the vote on the 2008 plan will be in tomorrow, Sunday, and we can only hope that the pressure from the US will have some influence. There are many different proposals from many of the ICCAT’s 45 member nations, ranging from a reduction in quotas, to establishing a group of traders and farmers to better manage the existing stocks, but conservation efforts must start with a drastic reduction in quotas. However with poachers catching almost the same amount of tuna as the existing quota, it will take more than just management to keep the tuna from becoming commercially extinct. A few year moratorium may be drastic, but nevertheless, in the best interest of the tuna, the fishermen, and sushi lovers the world around.

Meshi agare!
Warren
The sushi guy.