The Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Interior have been requested to seek a Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listing for Atlantic bluefin tuna by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). Such a listing would result in even greater restrictions or an outright ban on recreational fishing for this species particularly in the United States where bluefin is extremely important to recreational anglers.

Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna are in serious trouble from commercial overfishing and noncompliance to ICCAT conservation measures in that region. For years, the European Union (EU) nations, who pursue bluefin tuna, have thumbed their noses at recommendations for annual harvest quotas set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) committee. These recommendations from the SCRS and compliance to them are the heart of the ICCAT treaty and must be followed. For years EU nations have been harvesting bluefin tuna at a rate three times the harvest recommendations set forth by the SCRS. Furthermore, they have failed to enforce minimum size limits necessary to ensure adequate recruitment.

RFA clearly recognizes that the management of Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic bluefin is failing. However, we question if CITES would be an effective tool.

In a rebuttal to Secretary Gutierrez and Secretary Kempthorne, Jim Donofrio expressed his concern regarding the reckless approach to the management of international fisheries. "Now, the EU has a six month head start to lobby support from developing nation and influence their vote should the U.S. have decided to seek a listing or at, threatened a proposed listing at the ICCAT Plenary meeting next November."

The overfishing situation in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic is a regional issue. CITES, which prohibits all international trade including charter boats and tournaments, uses too broad a brush to fix an isolated but identified problem. Punishing contracting parties in other parts of the Atlantic is not the solution. Arbitrarily shutting down the western Atlantic bluefin access to countries, such as the US and Canada who comply and enforce ICCAT harvest recommendations and carry unused bluefin balances from year to year, would accomplish nothin g.

Donofrio continues, "A CITES listing is grossly excessive particularly in a quota management system. It is much more likely to achieve Atlantic bluefin tuna rebuilding success if all ICCAT contracting parties are forced to comply with annual harvest quotas that currently exist."