The Commission is concerned about the poor conservation status of Atlantic bluefin tuna and acknowledges that demand for it is being driven largely by international trade. While recognising that the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) has taken a number of steps to address this situation since 2006, the Commission considers, on the basis of the most recent scientific data available, that Atlantic bluefin tuna should be included in Appendix I of CITES.

Appendix I groups species threatened with extinction and for which trade must be subject to particularly strict regulation and authorised only in exceptional circumstances. Listing bluefin tuna under Appendix I would mean a ban on international trade in the fish.

Source: European Commission

(23/02/10)