vanguard blog | June 01, 2011 | 4 comments

With no government protection, saving the Bluefin tuna may need to start with consumers

The statistics speak for themselves. The Bluefin tuna population is in steady and dramatic decline, caused mostly by over-fishing around the world. According to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICAAT), “the eastern Atlantic’s stocks of fish old enough to reproduce declined by 80 percent between 1970 and 1992 and have since fluctuated between 21 percent and 29 percent of the 1970 level.” Then why did the US just decline to grant endangered species status to the Bluefin when the species is in such spectacular decline?

After working on “Sushi to the Slaughter” (premiering July 12th), I came to realize how complex this issue is and that, amongst other factors, there are huge market forces keeping the Bluefin’s fate hanging in the balance. Had the tuna been classified as an endangered species, it would have made fishing for them in US waters illegal – a devastating blow tantamount to a nail in the coffin for inshore fisherman. Many believe that the administration’s decision was influenced by pressure from the US fishing industry.

This pressure only pales in comparison to the aggressive Japanese lobby that kept the UN from implementing an export ban on tuna last year. My trip to Japan's Tsukiji fish market really drove home how important tuna is to the Japanese. In my opinion, this is an example ofwhen allowing normal market forces to fix a problem just won't work. The Japanese will continue to pay ever-increasing prices for this fish until they are extinct. Just this past January, a new record was set – a 752-lbs tuna fetched a winning bid of $396,000! Beyond the economics, there are also cultural and sociological reasons that keep tuna consumption so high in Japan. Currently, Japan consumes 80 percent of the Bluefin catch.

However, this isn’t a Japanese nor an American issue, mostly because of the migratory nature of tuna. This majestic fish can accelerate faster than a Porsche and travels the world’s oceans at 55 mph. And until there are multilateral and international efforts to enforce fishing quotas etc., conservation is going to have begin at the consumer level – starting with me, a self-professed, tuna-obsessed, sushi lover.

Watch the trailer:

Tune in for the premiere of "Sushi to the Slaughter" on Tuesday, July 18 at 9/8c on Current TV.

For more information, visit http://current.com/vanguard

  1. groups:
    vanguard blog,   VG-blog-AY
  2. tags:
    Food,  Japan,  UN,  Endangered Species Videos & Endangered Species News,  6 more
  3.     
    |

4 comments // With no government protection, saving the Bluefin tuna may need to start with consumers

  • fearlesskris
  • littlwarrior
    • +2
      littlwarrior  

    • I can proudly say I gave up Tuna a few years ago, yes there have been mild indiscretions becuase well I love tuna, but for the most part I dont eat it. I believe that when we see a problem the first step to its resolution is not to demand that the government change peoples lives but that we first must change our own. Same reason I don't shop at wall mart or buy any GP products. We have the right to to make changes in the world and the greatest place to start is with our selves. Also why wouldn't we want to save the Tuna? They are freaking delicious, eat it all now and we wont get any for later, and life without Tuna Mac might just not be worth living.

    • 12 months ago
  • littlwarrior
    • 0
      littlwarrior  
    • littlwarrior:

      By the way just have to add I love Vanguard, you guys are amazing and I have not missed an episode in like 3 years. Seriously not a one, its a family event, we all gather around the TV and watch. Well except for the one about toilets in developing nations, my sister in law couldn't quite handle that one, grossed her out, but that is the only episode she missed in 2 years.

    • 12 months ago
  • ckilduff
    • +1
      ckilduff  
    • Image

    • Thanks for working on this issue - more information about where our seafood comes from is good for the consumer and the oceans.

      The Center for Biological Diversity, in addition to petitioning to list Atlantic bluefin tuna on the Endangered Species Act, also started a movement for chefs and consumers to pledge not to eat or serve bluefin tuna. The more people pledge, the more likely bluefin tuna will be protected. Visit www.bluefinboycott.org.

    • 12 months ago
Adam_Yamaguchi

top videos