EU to shut down industrial bluefin tuna fishing early

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BRUSSELS (AFP) — The European Commission said on Friday it was shutting down industrial tuna fishing in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic for the rest of the year because quotas for 2008 were nearly full.

The move targets fishing by purse seiners, which encircle whole schools of fish and account for 70 percent of all bluefin tuna hauls.

Under the decision, purse seiners from Greece, France, Italy, Cyprus and Malta will be banned from fishing bluefin tuna from June 16 while purse seiners from Spain will not be able to cast their nets from June 23.

"The closure of the purse seine fishery is necessary to protect this fragile resource, and ensure the recovery of the stock," the commission said in a statement.

© 2008 AFP