Tuna Could Be Included On Endangered Lists

September 15, 2009

Release from: Lancashire Evening Post (UK)

A Lancashire Euro MP says campaigners trying to protect an endangered fish have scored a 'first round' victory.

The European Commission has come out in support of a total ban on trade of the endangered bluefin tuna.

But Chris Davies MEP has warned that getting Brussels to back the inclusion of bluefin tuna on the list of endangered species is only a first step.

He said: "The value of this fish goes up as its numbers come down.

"With so much money to be made from it there is a great deal of illegal fishing and strong political opposition from Japan to a worldwide trade ban."

The proposal to include bluefin tuna on the list of endangered species that cannot be traded will be discussed by governments representatives at a meeting in Qatar next March.

The world's largest environment charity, WWF, has praised the Preston MEP for his work to date.

In a letter, WWF's international director Tony Long claims that the MEP's personal intervention brought pressure to bear on European Commissioners.