Photo: David OomsKiss them goodbye … As reported by the Associated Press, pressure from France, Spain, and other Mediterranean nations has forced the E.U. to abandon previously touted plans to significantly cut quotas on Atlantic bluefin tuna next year. At current fishing rates, where actual catch numbers are far about official quota levels, the iconic fish is expected to be extinct by 2012:
After drawn-out negotiations, the 27-nation E.U. abandoned a plan to seek cutbacks in fishing quotas based only on scientific advice and said Thursday it will now also consider the interests of tuna fishermen.
Though the E.U. is still considering a reduction of 2,000 tons from current quotas, anything beyond that — including supporting an outright cessation of fishing, which many campaigners and scientists say is needed to allow the fishery to recover — is off the table.
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