Tuna

The Oil Spill Disaster and the Atlantic Bluefin (2010)
The 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could not have come at a worse time for the western Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Even prior to the spill, both young and adult bluefin populations were already under significant threat. Now that this unprecedented environmental disaster has hit the Gulf of Mexico (the western Atlantic bluefin’s primary spawning area) right at the height of spawning season, the bluefin’s future may be in even more serious jeopardy.

Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission - 5 (2009)
Recognizing that the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) isnow in its fifth year of existence, WWF believe that the time for significant action is well overdue in collectively agreeing to and implementing Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) for the sustainable exploitation of the Pacific’s tuna resources. This report provides WWF’s analysis and assessment of the outcomes achieved at the recent WCPFC – 5 meeting held in Busan, South Korea on 8 – 12 December 2008 in relation to the joint WWF and TRAFFIC position statement.

IUU Scorecard for San Sebastian, Spain (2009)
Tuna are subject to intense IUU fishing, which can account for one-third of the total catch. IUU fishing contributes to overfishing, undermines efforts to conserve and manage tuna stocks, and has broad ecosystem impacts through the bycatch of non-target species. The tuna RFMOs have a wide range of existing tools to reduce IUU fishing and have a responsibility to adopt and implement them.

Bycatch Scorecard for San Sebastian, Spain (2009)
The incidental capture of non-target species and juvenile tuna in tuna fisheries — on longlines and in purse seines, in particular — is a major problem linked with population declines of many species and threatens the survival of several endangered species. The tuna RFMOs have an important role to play in reducing interactions with endangered species and juvenile tuna.

Tuna Scorecard for San Sebastian, Spain (2009)
WWF believes that conservation and management strategies based on a precautionary, ecosystem approach and the best available scientific advice are central to sustainable fisheries. The widespread failure of tuna RFMOs to develop such strategies is a key reason behind the unsustainably high catch levels for many tuna stocks.