With
overfishing having caused at least an 85% reduction in bluefin tuna
populations in the Mediterranean, the European Union Fisheries
Commissioner Maria Damanaki banned commercial fishing of the endangered
species five days early, after allocated fishing quotas were exhausted.
Organizations
such as Greenpeace International and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
stationed their vessels in the Mediterranean to help save the species
from further demise through illegal fishing.
Onboard the Rainbow
Warrior, Greenpeace International Oceans Campaigner Oliver Knowles
stated, “Bluefin tuna is on the brink of extinction, and fishing should
never have taken place this year.
Scientists have shown that the
only appropriate fishing quota for bluefin tuna is zero." With the
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also warning of the species’ extinction by
2012 if fisheries are not closed.
Captain Paul Watson – Founder and President of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Vegan (M):
Three-fourths of the tuna is taken illegally, and so our vessel, the
Steve Irwin, is in the Mediterranean and we’re targeting those illegal
operations.
VOICE: The bluefin tuna is a migratory fish which, like all marine wildlife, helps balance the oceans and ultimately our planet.
Paul Watson (M):
Fish and other living things in the ocean are more important being a
part of that diversity than they are being on our dinner plate, and if
we destroy the fishes, we destroy the sea.
And if we destroy the sea, we destroy the life support system for ourselves.
VOICE:
Our earnest appreciation Captain Watson, Sea Shepherd Conservation
Society and Greenpeace International for your courageous dedication to
protecting the vulnerable bluefin tuna. Let us join in respecting the
lives of our marine co-inhabitants for the thriving of all beings on
Earth.
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