Watson's anger at Sushi short-sightedness (St Ives Liberal Democrats)

St Ives Liberal Democrats <trevorandrea131@aol.com>

Watson's anger at Sushi short-sightedness

March 22, 2010 4:34 PM
Originally published by Sir Graham Watson MEP

Graham Watson MEP

A South West Euro-MP has spoken of his anger at the decision not to ban the trade in the world's most valuable fish.

Liberal Democrat Graham Watson says that the Mediterranean bluefin tuna is likely to become extinct as a result of the decision by governments represented at a world conference on trade in endangered species.

European Union proposals for a complete ban to allow stocks of the fish to recover were rejected by a coalition of countries led by Japan at the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) talks currently taking place in Doha, Qatar.

Bluefin tuna is prized as a delicacy, and individual fish can command prices of up to €100,000. But with organised criminals ignoring all restrictions stocks in the Mediterranean are said to be at less than 8% of the levels of 20 years ago.

Watson said he was shocked and angered at the failure of so many governments to recognise the folly of continuing the trade.

The Liberal Democrat strongly supported efforts by WWF, the world's largest environmental charity, to secure a total ban.

He said: "Governments must recognise that if we carry on like this there will be no fish left in the seas and no jobs for fishermen."

Last year Graham and three liberal colleagues wrote to European Commission Chief Jose Manuel Barroso asking for support to make trade in the endangered species illegal.

Mr Watson was delighted that the Commission took on board the matter noting;

"The European Commission took positive action to propose protection for a species that is in perilous danger. I was delighted that the Commission supported our call to make trade in blue fin tuna illegal."

"Europe rightly took a lead on this and it is tragic that governments around the world have not woken up to the fact that extinction for blue fin tuna is on the cards."