Environment

Thousands sign to boycott bluefin tuna

by Amy Judd | November 21, 2008 at 10:13 am

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Around 16,000 citizens from 149 countries have signed a WWF petition to join restaurants, retailers and chefs as they agree to boycott Mediterranean bluefin tuna, until the fish have had enough time to replenish their stocks and it can be managed properly again.

WWF presented the petition today in Marrakech, Morrocco, to top fisheries decision-makes at the Internationl Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), who are meeting to decide this specific purpose.

“Thousands of consumers from across the world are voting with their wallets by not buying or eating endangered Mediterranean bluefin tuna,” said Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean. “WWF hopes ICCAT acts on this strong plea from global citizens."

As increasing numbers of responsible consumers say no to bluefin, the list of chefs, restaurants and retailers around the world that have stopped serving and selling bluefin is also growing. The trailblazers — Auchan in France, Carrefour in Italy, Coop in Italy and Switzerland, ICA in Norway, Moshi Moshi in the UK, and Memento in Spain — have now been joined by many others in taking bluefin off their menus and shelves.

These are Benoît Delbasserue French chef; Casino French supermarket; Coop Norwegian supermarket; Deutsche See German processor; Elior French restaurant chain; Gottfried Friedrichs German processor; M&J UK seafood supplier; Migros Swiss supermarket; Relais du Parc French restaurant; Sergi Arola, Dario Barrio, Karel Bell — Spanish chefs; and over 50 restaurants in Monaco.

It wasn't too long ago that Nobu in London was serving the bluefin tuna to its customers and not telling them it was an endangered species. They have agreed to now mark it as such, but are still serving it.
WWF is saying that if the ICCAT does not reach a decision this week, they will then attempt to institute a trade ban to save the species.

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