25 March 2010 – Wellington

Forest & Bird media release for immediate use

Quota hike for endangered tuna appalling, says Forest & Bird

Forest & Bird is appalled to learn that the Government has today agreed to a hike in the quota of critically endangered southern bluefin tuna.

Today’s announcement by Fisheries Ministry chief executive Wayne McNee signals a 27% in-season increase in the catch of southern bluefin tuna from 420 tonnes to 532 tonnes, effective from tomorrow (26 March).

“Increasing the quota of our critically endangered southern bluefin tuna is about making money in the short term and the end of this species in the long term,” Forest & Bird Marine Conservation Advocate Kirstie Knowles says.

In 1996, southern bluefin tuna were listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered, after suffering from over fishing. This is the same threat status given to New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphins, which are protected under the Fisheries Act and Marine Mammals Protection Act.

Research shows the situation has worsened since 1996 and the population has reached an all-time low. Southern bluefin tuna – jointly with mako shark, snapper and oreo/deepwater dory – has the second-worst ecological ranking on Forest & Bird’s 2009-2010 Best Fish Guide of any commercial fishery in New Zealand.

“Southern bluefin tuna are highly migratory species at the top of oceanic food webs. Along with other migratory species, they play an important role in regulating our ocean ecosystems. Increasing the quota poses a direct threat to their survival and to the ecological integrity of our ocean systems,” Kirstie Knowles says.

ENDS

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