Atlantic Tuna Project Launched; Conserve Bluefin & Yellowfin Tuna

Today I am proud to announce the launch of the ATLANTIC TUNA PROJECT. This project will focus on the conservation of Northern Atlantic Bluefin tuna and Atlantic Yellowfin tuna. On the heels of yesterday's disaster where many nations such as Japan, Russia, China, Canada and others soundly defeated proposals to protect the bluefin tuna from overfishing, these great tuna need help now. Specifically this project will encourage recreational anglers to release and tag bluefin and yellowfin tunas, as well as promote awareness and best practices for the safe handling of these great fish. The tagging efforts will help in the data collection of where these great tuna venture after visiting the offshore waters of the Eastern United States.

For the bluefin, there is a special program for charter boats where anglers who tag and release bluefin are eligible to receive a "care package" with items from the program's sponsors. For 2010 WEST MARINE and RPMS have joined as sponsors. Tagging of bluefin is also available for private anglers.

For yellowfin, charter boats and private anglers can also participate in the tagging program. The decision was made to also add yellowfin tuna to the program based on the widespread fear that yellowfin stocks are also decreasing. Many charter and private boats along Mid-Atlantic states like New Jersey lament as the once abundant schools of yellowfin tuna have not shown up in the offshore canyons for the past 2 consecutive seasons. Compunding this situation is the lack of tagging data for the yellowfin that swim off the shores of the Mid-Atlantic states. NOAA acknowledges that the size and numbers of yellowfin caught are decreasing and the downward trend has been happening since 1999.

At the center of the project is the social network site; www.savethebluefin.com. Anglers, charter boat captains/crews, private boaters, researchers and citizens of all types are welcome to join the site and contribute stories, images and video on their experiences and thoughts around conserving these great fish. People can also follow the program on Twitter at www.twitter.com/savethebluefin.

Although the world turned on the bluefin tuna yesterday, we must continue to fight for the conservation of these great tuna.