Seems like the fishing industry in Japan is taking a step in the right direction. The largest fishing co-operative in Japan that has 230 longline tuna-fishing vessels have decided to stop fishing for short periods of time. This time will make up 2 months of the next 2 years and are estimated to cut 5% of the catch.
That doesn’t sound much at all as the worldwide tuna stocks have dramatically dropped in recent years, but it also include efforts to reduce tuna fishing in China, South Korea and Taiwan.
Earlier this summer the European Union stopped early the tuna fishing in the Mediterranean sea because they were afraid the extensive fishing would make the species go extinct.
The main reason for this extensive fishing is said to be the global popularity of sushi and sashimi. Maybe it is time for rich western yuppies (and yuppies in other parts of the world) to stop feeding on threatened species..
Lets hope these are the first steps at protecting the tuna worldwide and that is not too late!