The Status of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Abstract

We are concerned by some statements in the letter “The fate of Atlantic bluefin tuna” by tuna scientist J.-M. Fromentin (12 March, p. [1325][1]). Fromentin's comments reflect widespread misconceptions used to argue against the inclusion of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). ![Figure][2] CREDIT: [PHOTOS.COM][3] Fromentin's statement that current scientific knowledge does not unequivocally support a BFT listing under Appendix I doesn't serve the debate. Very rarely does fisheries science unequivocally support any conclusion; rather, it expresses a high probability of a given scenario being met. Fromentin omits the fact that the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Scientific Committee concluded ([ 1 ][4]) that there was a 95% probability that BFT had declined to the extent that it would qualify for an Appendix I listing. This conclusion was endorsed by the majority of the FAO Panel ([ 2 ][5]), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ([ 3 ][6]), and the CITES Secretariat ([ 4 ][7]). Although CITES decided not to list the Atlantic BFT on Appendix I, it is not true that it would have been the first commercially exploited marine species so listed. Most of the great whales, all marine turtles, all but one sawfish species, and two sturgeon species are listed on CITES Appendix I. We regret that many governments and individuals continue to be more concerned about future CITES listings of other marine species than about the very reasons why those may be eligible: the dire state of many fish stocks. Nothing indicates, as Fromentin suggests, that the listing of BFT could lead to CITES implicitly assuming management of fisheries. Such a statement is absurd. CITES deals specifically with international trade only, and its mandate is therefore completely different from fisheries organizations. In cases where international trade drives overfishing, fisheries organizations and CITES working together offers the best possible chance of ensuring sustainability. 1. [↵][8] ICCAT, “Extension of the 2009 SCRS meeting to consider the status of Atlantic bluefin tuna populations with respect to CITES biological listing criteria” (ICCAT, Madrid, 2009). 2. [↵][9] FAO, Report of the Third FAO Expert Advisory Panel for the Assessment of Proposals to Amend Appendices I and II of CITES Concerning Commercially-Exploited Aquatic Species (FAO Fisheries Report No. 925, Rome, 2010). 3. [↵][10] IUCN/TRAFFIC, Analyses of the Proposals to Amend the CITES Appendices (Information document CoP15, Inf. 18A, CITES, 2010). 4. [↵][11] CITES, Comments from the Parties and Comments and Recommendations from the Secretariat (Working document CoP 15, Doc 68, Annex 2, CITES, 2010). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.327.5971.1325-c [2]: pending:yes [3]: http://PHOTOS.COM [4]: #ref-1 [5]: #ref-2 [6]: #ref-3 [7]: #ref-4 [8]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [9]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [10]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [11]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text