|
The Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) came into play in 1994. The Convention established a Commission whose objectives are to ensure the conservation and optimum usage of the global Southern Bluefin Tuna fishery. In pursuit of this objective the CCSBT performs a number of functions including: setting a total allowable catch and allocating this among the members, considering regulatory measures to meet Convention objectives, coordinating a scientific research program aimed at providing information to support the Commission's management objectives, providing a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to the conservation objectives of the Convention and fostering activities directed towards the conservation of non-target species. The CCSBT has also implemented a Trade Information Scheme to collect more accurate and comprehensive data on Southern Bluefin Tuna fishing through monitoring trade. The Trade Information Scheme also operates to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by effectively denying access to markets for Southern Bluefin Tuna. HSI fears Southern Bluefin Tuna is being fished at levels far beyond 'optimum'. At last count the species biomass was reduced to 8% of its pre-exploitation levels and has been classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. HSI campaigns for this hugely lucrative fishery to be properly regulated as is appropriate for a threatened species. We have prepared a nomination to list Southern Bluefin Tuna as threatened under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and we lobby for its conservation in forums such as CCSBT and CITES.
In a significant move, the CCSBT adopted a Recommendation at its 15th Annual Meeting to curb the death toll of seabirds, sharks and turtles in southern bluefin tuna longline fisheries. Click here for more.
Latest News
Southern Bluefin Tuna meeting takes important step, but much more to do
October 14, 2011 click here
back to top
| 
