Raül Romeva i Rueda

WWF publica l’informe més exhaustiu fet fins el moment en relació a la dramàtica situació de la tonyina vermella a la Mediterrània, i posa especialment de manifest com l’actual flota pesquera europea té una capacitat que duplica les quotes establertes pels mateixos governs en el sí de la ICAAT (Race for the Last bluefin). Adjunto a continuació la nota de premsa que ha el.laborat WWF, i en document adjunt un resum de l’informe.

Bloated Mediterranean tuna fleet in race for the last bluefin: WWF

Rome, Italy – The most comprehensive analysis yet of the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fleet shows it conservatively having twice the fishing capacity of current quotas and more than three and a half times the catch levels recommended by scientists to avoid stock collapse.

The new WWF report, Race for the last bluefin, reveals the worst culprits for Mediterranean tuna fleet overcapacity to be Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Libya, France and Spain. (segueix…)

“WWF’s new report uncovers the absurdity of a system long out of control, where hundreds of hi-tech boats are racing to catch a handful of fish,” says Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean.

“The failure of international fisheries management has allowed a monster to thrive in the Mediterranean. Decision-makers must be bold if the bluefin is to be saved from a sorry fate – and for any chance of a future for Mediterranean tuna fishermen.”

To keep fishing capacity within the 2008 legal catch limits imposed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the Mediterranean fleet would need to shed 229 vessels – almost a third of the current 617-vessel fleet. Reducing fishing effort to scientifically recommended levels, meanwhile, would require the decommissioning of 283 vessels – of which 58 among European Union Member States alone.

In Italy – worst culprit among EU countries – the fleet should be reduced by over 30 vessels to respect scientific recommendations, or 17 just to stay within the law. The WWF report indicates that high levels of under-reporting by Italy are also likely, as its reported catches have dramatically decreased since 1997 – yet during the past decade the Italian fleet has increased considerably in size and power. Croatia, Spain and Libya are also under the spotlight for under-reporting.

At a minimum, the report shows Mediterranean fleets would have to fish 42,000 tonnes of tuna just to cover costs – implying some 13,000 tonnes of illegal catch. This calculation considers only the more technically advanced vessels built in the past decade – the full picture will be much worse yet.

“It is crazy – the numerous new fleets are so modern and costly that fishermen are forced to fish illegally just to survive – and worse still they are fishing themselves out of a job,” added Dr Tudela.

WWF is calling on concerned countries to dramatically reduce capacity in this fishery as a matter of urgency ahead of the 2008 fishing season that starts end-April. WWF also urges ICCAT, the body tasked with sustainably managing the fishery, to take a lead in proposing radical solutions. Until the fishery is under control and sustainably managed, WWF continues to advocate a fishing ban – and to applaud responsible retailers, restaurants, chefs and consumer groups who are boycotting Mediterranean bluefin in increasing numbers.

“The fishery is unsustainable in every way – economically, socially, and ecologically. When will the situation be brought under control? The time to act is now – while there are still bluefin tuna to save in the Mediterranean,” Dr Tudela said.

In spite of the overcapacity of fleets, at least 25 new purse seine vessels were still being constructed at time of going to press.

For more information:

Gemma Parkes, WWF Communications Officer: t +39 346 387 3237, e gparkes@wwfmedpo.org

Notes to editor:

The new WWF report, Race for the last bluefin – Capacity of the purse seine fleet targeting bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea and estimated capacity reduction needs, can be downloaded at: www.panda.org/tuna .

Interviews, footage and background information available on request.

High resolution photos available (Username: intranet@wwfint.org / Password: dropbox) at:

https://intranet.panda.org/documents/document.cfm?uFolderID=59126&uDocID=71706 .

The next meeting of ICCAT is taking place in Tokyo, Japan from 26-27 March.

WWF’s report – the first ever real quantification of fleet capacity – is based on a study by independent consultancy Advanced Tuna Ranching Technologies (ATRT SL ©®™). The report cross-checks official databases, trade data, industry sources, and shipyard censuses, backed up by photographic evidence.

The report’s estimates are likely to be highly conservative. Only the capacity of the purse seine vessels that catch most bluefin tuna is considered in WWF’s estimates for reduction needs. The full situation is likely to be much worse in view of overcapacity in other fishing methods such as long-lining.

Font foto: WWF