WWF Releases DNA Study to Highlight Legality Loophole in the Bluefin Tuna Trade

WWF Releases DNA Study to Highlight Legality Loophole in the Bluefin Tuna Trade
Press Releases
January 05, 2012


Dr. Allen To, Conservation Officer (Marine) of WWF-Hong Kong said, "We welcome the fact that the Group has not taken part in the "Japan One" bluefin tuna bidding this year. 


Bluefin tuna populations worldwide are threatened by overfishing and there is no sustainable production of the bluefin tuna. It is important for all restaurants to remove bluefin tuna from their menus. 


According to WWF’s latest study, some of the bluefin tuna traded in Hong Kong may come from illegal sources which further highlights the urgency to stop selling these species. "


http://ramsss.com


WWF-Hong Kong jointly conducted a study in 2011 with the WWF-Mediterranean Programme Office which found through DNA testing that of 22 bluefin tuna samples collected in Hong Kong restaurants and retailers, 12 were Atlantic bluefin tuna.


"This is a shocking result. Atlantic bluefin tuna, like pandas and tigers are classified as Endangered species on the IUCN list. This is the first time that Atlantic bluefin tuna have been scientifically proven to be found in Hong Kong market, and means that Hong Kong consumers may be unknowingly helping to wipe out a species in real trouble." Dr To explained.


As part of the global efforts to conserve the Atlantic bluefin tuna, its trade is supposed to be regulated and monitored by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). However, even though Mainland China is a contracting party to ICCAT, this international convention does not cover Hong Kong. This means that there is no legal framework in Hong Kong to ensure that any imports of the Atlantic bluefin tuna is from a legal source, resulting in a loophole that allows illegally caught Atlantic bluefin tuna to potentially be traded in Hong Kong. This shows that Hong Kong may have facilitated the "Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported" fishing activities of the Atlantic bluefin tuna, which is one of the major issues leading to the "Endangered" status of this species.


As the loophole in Hong Kong seriously compromises the management of trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna, WWF formally submitted a letter on this issue for the ICCAT meeting held in Nov 2011 in Istanbul. WWF suggested the Chinese Government and HKSAR Government to extend this convention to Hong Kong.


In order to conserve the overfished and even endangered bluefin tuna, and not to unknowingly support any illegal bluefin tuna fisheries, WWF is calling on all consumers and suppliers to avoid consuming the species.


WWF-Hong Kong launched the "Bluefin Saver" campaign in 2009. To date, over 8,700 individuals have pledged as a "Bluefin Saver" showing that they support WWF’s initiative by not consuming bluefin tuna. There are also over 12,000 supporters on the Bluefin Saver Facebook page.


"The overwhelming support and pledges received from the public shows that Hong Kong people are concerned about the bluefin tuna. They do not want to see local restaurants using bluefin tuna to boost its business, nor do they want to consume a species that is overfished or even endangered. That some of the bluefin tuna traded in Hong Kong may come from illegal sources makes the case even stronger. We are not asking people not to dine at particular restaurants, but calling on everyone to simply stop eating any bluefin tuna." Dr. To added.


To spread the bluefin tuna conservation message to the wider Hong Kong public, WWF has also engaged in various bluefin tuna education programmes in the primary and secondary school sectors. From December 2011 onwards, selected WWF education tours will further strengthen the conservation message of bluefin tuna and convey this issue to an even wider audience group.