Tuna Catch Going Down, Prices (Probably) Going Up

In a news release from Brussels today, the European Union (EU) announced the united decision of 45 nations to lower the catch quota of Atlantic bluefin tuna, a delicacy threatened with extinction if sustainable measures aren't implemented.  The decision was made this weekend in Brazil at a meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, a multinational organization charged with setting fishing limits throughout the world in the hope of preventing extinction of fish instrumental in the human food supply.

In addition to EU nations, the United States and Japan have agreed to reduce the catch quota for 2010 to 13,500 tons, down from 22,000 for 2009.  The 2008 quota was 28,500 tons.  In spite of ever-diminishing quotas, scientists have expressed concern that even the 2010 quota established by the commission is about 7,000 tons more than is advised to prevent dangerous overfishing.

Bluefin tuna is enjoyed the world over for its excellent flavor and its high content of healthful omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.  It is a much sought-after menu item in sushi bars the world over.

With a diminished supply of the Atlantic bluefin tunas, the result of the catch going down in tonnage, there is little doubt the prices for these fish is most probably going up in response.  While higher prices will not deter many diners, there is a growing movement of people shunning fish threatened with extinction while favoring instead those that are in abundant supply.