Dot Earth Blog: Bluefin Tuna Poised for New Record Sale in Tokyo Auction, More Pressure at Sea

Here?s a quick note from the global tuna conservation team?at the Pew Environment Group:

Within the next few days, the first giant Pacific bluefin tuna of 2013 is expected to be auctioned in Tokyo for an astronomical price. Last January,?one fish sold for a record $736,000?and made headlines around the world. Purchasing a single bluefin for such a remarkably high price has become an annual cultural event in Japan. But, the fanfare surrounding this event masks a real and pressing problem: the population of this majestic fish is a fraction of what it used to be, and management is practically non-existent.

Scientists are expected to come out with a new stock assessment for Pacific bluefin on Monday, January 7. According to our sources, the new results are alarming and indicate further decline of the species.

The status of bluefin tuna in the Pacific is tracked by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean. Also explore the work of the Tag-a-Giant project.

Paul Greenberg?s 2010 article for The Times Magazine, ?Tuna?s End,? is still an essential read, as is Richard Ellis?s 2008 book, ?Tuna: A Love Story.?

Source: http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/04/bluefin-tuna-poised-for-new-record-sale-in-tokyo-auction-more-pressure-at-sea/?partner=rss&emc=rss

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