Dear UK ICCAT Delegation,
The return of Atlantic bluefin tuna is one of the great conservation success stories of recent decades. After years of devastating overfishing, these magnificent animals are finally making a comeback.
But their recovery is still unfolding, and significant scientific uncertainties remain about the abundance of bluefin populations. We must not repeat the mistakes that brought them to the brink.
At last year's ICCAT meeting, governments agreed to increase the bluefin tuna fishing quota in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean by over 19%. Now there are concerns that some countries could seek even bigger catches.
As the UK prepares to take part in this year's ICCAT meeting, we urge you to:
- Defend science-based management for Atlantic bluefin tuna and resist future attempts to weaken it or reopen agreements to secure bigger catches.
- Prioritise the continued recovery of bluefin tuna, supporting precautionary decisions that reflect the best available scientific evidence.
- Champion the long-term restoration of bluefin populations, helping to rebuild the abundance of these extraordinary animals and the ocean ecosystems they support.
The UK has an opportunity to be a strong voice for conservation at ICCAT.
Bluefin tuna have shown us that international cooperation can bring a species back from the brink. We urge you to do all you can to build on that success – not put it at risk.
Photo: Rupert Kirkwood / The Lone Kayaker