Alternattiva Demokratika, The Green Party, said that the vote taken a few days ago by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) is catastrophic for both the bluefin tuna and the long-term future of the fishermen who depend on it and who use traditional and sustainable fishing methods.

Simon Galea, AD spokesperson for Agriculture and Animal Welfare, said, “CITES rejected a motion to list the endangered bluefin tuna on its Appendix 1, which would have introduced a ban in the international trade of the species. This decision will stand unless there is a U-turn on the final day of the CITES meeting in Doha, Qatar. Unfortunately big business interests and Japan managed to be successful in their attempts to influence CITES members. Shor-term economic interests are being allowed to drive the bluefin tuna to extinction, for the sake of providing sushi now.”

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, added, ‘The EU must now do everything it can to save this fish at the next ICCAT meeting in November 2010. In this regard, it astounding within the EU, the Maltese government voted against the ban while all the other EU countries, including France, Spain, Greece and Italy, voted in favour of the ban. Once more the Lawrence Gonzi’s government chose not to represent the interest of the common citizen and the long-term interests of Maltese fishermen, but to represent the interest of a few companies, notably the ones farming tuna for the Japanese market. It is clear that the government acted as a salesperson for these companies as the ban will undoubtedly effect their bottom line.”

Permalink: Lawrence Gonzi turns tuna farm salesman – AD