Brussels retreats on bluefin tuna

The European Commission has pulled back from an effort to restrict the trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna amid resistance from Mediterranean member states.

Following the advice of its in-house experts, the Commission last month proposed co-sponsoring a plan by Monaco to add Atlantic bluefin tuna to a list of endangered species, essentially banning trade of the fish used for the highest grade of sushi.

Monaco is to submit its proposal next month to the convention of international trade in endangered species, or CITES, with a final vote expected in March.

But a handful of member states with large Mediterranean fisheries, including Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Cypress and Greece, blocked the measure at a meeting on Monday.

Those countries argued that more scientific evidence was needed before they could support the proposal, pointing toward a November meeting in Brazil where researchers are expected to present new findings on the health of tuna populations.

Some also expressed concerns about jobs in the beleaguered fishing sector, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

France’s decision to abstain on the matter came as a particular surprise to some observers since President Nicolas Sarkozy had previously emerged as a high-profile supporter of the Monaco effort.

On the other hand, environmental groups were encouraged to see that Portugal, long a member of the EU’s so-called “Club Med” fishing nations, supported the measure.

Stavros Dimas, the environment commissioner, expressed his regret in the wake of the decision. European environment ministers could revisit the matter when they meet in November and December, according to Commission officials.

Still, environmental groups were critical of the decision. “It is once again large-scale Mediterranean fishing interests trying to gang up against the long-term survival of Atlantic bluefin tuna and the industry this incredible species has sustained for thousands of years,” said Aaron McLoughlin, head of WWF’s European marine programme.

Saskia Richartz, a Greenpeace analyst, said the decision was short-sighted, and would ultimately tip Europe’s tuna fisheries toward collapse.

Tuna has joined cod as one of the most disputed fish in Europe’s debate over its troubled fishing policy. WWF earlier this year predicted that Mediterranean tuna would be wiped out for commercial purposes within four years if current policies were not altered.

Some fishermen dispute those claims, questioning the quality of the data cited by environmental groups.