Ocean Issues: Overfishing

Overexploitation of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna continues in the Mediterranean Sea. A report commissioned by the Pew Environment Group concludes that Bluefin tuna boats in the Mediterranean Sea harvest many more fish than they report. The BBC reports findings of the study that show "last year 140% more bluefin meat from the Med entered the market than was reported as caught".

Under-reporting of catch is an issue, as evidenced by the gap between reported catch and total catch; as is a lack of information on illegal fishing operations. 

Another part of the problem is overcapitalization of the fishery - boats have far more capacity to catch tuna than the quotas allow. "Many Mediterranean fleets acquired new, more powerful purse seine boats in 2005-6; and having invested in them, owners now need to catch above quota to break even".


via
Follow up with an earlier story on the Atlantic bluefin tuna here.