European Parliament Votes To Protect Bluefin Tuna

Yesterday the European Parliament voted in favor of protecting the bluefin tuna by supporting a trade ban. However the vote comes with stipulations as outlined below. This is from the EU Parliament site:
"Parliament voiced its support on Wednesday for a ban on the trade in endangered animals, such as bluefin tuna and polar bears, and products derived from these animals. However, MEPs called
for financial compensation for the tuna fishing sector that would be
affected. Parliament would also like to keep the ban on trade in
African elephants and forbid any trade in ivory until 2028.

In today's resolution, adopted by show of hands, MEPs urge the Commission and the EU Member States to ban the international trade in blue fin tuna subject to the following
conditions:

• a general derogation for domestic trade, allowing traditional coastal fishing to continue;

• EU financial support for seafarers and vessel owners affected;

• tighter controls and tougher penalties to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The resolution, which also deals with tigers, sharks, crocodiles, corals and other species of fauna and flora, comes ahead of the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES), that takes place in Doha on 13-25 March. Parliament's
Environment Committee will be sending a delegation to the conference.

The Council is expected to take a decision on the EU's position on February 26.

CITES is the largest global wildlife conservation agreement, preventing the over-exploitation of wild fauna and flora through international trade,
with 175 parties, including the 27 EU Member States. CITES Appendix I
lists species threatened with extinction for which international trade
is prohibited and Appendix II lists species for which trade must be
controlled."

Tags: CITES, EU, Parliament

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