Bluefin tuna ban at CITES now has a chance

With the EU and the USA now backing it, a ban on trade in bluefin tuna -- likely to be declared an endangered species -- has pretty good prospects for passage. The problem is, as would be expected, Japan. They expect to take a "reservation" -- meaning they're going to opt out of the ban and trade with any other countries that also opt out.

The good thing appears to be that most other European countries are going to opt in, and that's the main group that's overfishing the Mediterranean and Atlantic bluefin.

Whaling has been kind of a sidelight, and Japan hasn't done its whaling on endangered species. But if they become a pariah state on bluefin tuna, then they will show their true colors and their environmental disdain -- and boycotts and trade restrictions will be acceptable counter-stratagems. They need to realize (much like China's "medicinal" trade, which is also causing species endangerment, like tigers) that we are all in this sinking boat together.

The problem is ... they aren't pressing for immediate implementation. They're giving it another year to push the bluefin tuna toward extinction.

If you're going to do something bold, BE BOLD.

Union to press for bluefin tuna ban

[Meanwhile, in Japan]

EU backing for bluefin tuna trade ban sparks Japan protests

Here's the #1 idiot quote:

"This is like telling the US to stop eating beef," said Kimio Amano, a 36-year-old broker at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo who joined about 100 other dealers – many clad in work boots and shiny waterproof overalls – to chant slogans calling for better use of the ocean's resources.

Uhh, sorry, beef cattle in the world are not critically endangered. Learn to eat turkey, jerk.

Check out this last stat:

"It is estimated that some 1m bluefins were caught last year, while the total population is thought to be about 3.75m. The WWF says stocks of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic have dropped by 80% since 1978."

That's why this is needed -- NOW.