MEP Gallagher defends bluefin tuna

Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP today in the European Parliament defended the right of European fishermen to continue to fish bluefin tuna in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Members of the European Parliament today voted in favour of banning the fishing of bluefin tuna in European waters. A final decision will be taken by the inter-governmental body, CITES when it convenes in March, following a proposal by the principality of Monaco.

Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP, a member of the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee said "while the state of the bluefin tuna stock in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean is a great concern to all, serious measures to restore and maintain the stock have already been taken by the ICCAT, the international commission responsible for the conservation of bluefin tuna."


"A total ban affecting bluefin tuna at this stage is a step too far. To treat the fishing industry in Europe in this way is unacceptable."

"The ICCAT must be allowed to do its job. In 2006, the total allowable catch was 36,000 tonnes. The total allowable catch for 2010 is down to 13,500 tonnes. In 2011, this will undergo a cut of at least 50 percent to under 6,750 tonnes."

"From an Irish perspective, I have no vested interest in bluefin tuna, apart from the fact that we have a by-catch of 100 tonnes. When Irish fishermen catch bluefin tuna unintentionally, are they to return it to the sea when it is too late? "

"It is important to take sensible and realistic measures to protect both stocks and the fishing sector in Europe. I would hope that sense will prevail or the only endangered species left will be our fishermen."


ENDS