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Tag ‘bycatch’

A FATAL TASTE FOR BABY-FISH

Monday, March 19th, 2012
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When the EU forbade juveniles catches, back in 2006, we knew that it was a first step, but a long way was still ahead: sometimes, putting a rule in writing is not enough to have respected!

And, as a Greek, I know that the fatal taste that we developed for baby-fish in the Mediterranean will be hard to change: almost every taverna in my country continues to serve, at least occasionally, fried juveniles.

It is very much enshrined in our culture: I am a big fan of Andrea Camilleri, the well known Italian writer who created Montalbano, and I intend to write him a letter to pay tribute to his work, but also to ask him to stop having the protagonist of his novels eating small squids: that is unethical!

Moreover, if fishermen let the fish grow, they can catch it the year after, bigger and more valuable: fishing for juveniles is economically irrational. Read the full entry

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BLUEFIN TUNA: A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY

Thursday, November 17th, 2011
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The news recently appeared in the media present the situation of bluefin tuna as appalling: we consume about 140% more tuna than what we are supposed to catch, vessels fish where they are forbidden to and by-catches are worrying.

Potential bluefin tuna spawning habitat in the Mediterranean Sea

Potential bluefin tuna spawning habitat in the Mediterranean Sea

Even if allegations have to be investigated and data verified, we must admit that much remains to be done to achieve sustainability and management and control measures for the protection of tuna and tuna-like species are not as effective as they should be.

As the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) holds its annual meeting in Istanbul, the European Union is tabling ambitious proposals for the conservation of Mediterranean swordfish, and tropical tunas and sharks, in line with science recommendations, and promoting mitigation measures against incidental catches of seabirds.

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DON’T KILL THE (GODS’) MESSENGER

Monday, September 26th, 2011
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Technically, we refer to them as “cetaceans by-catch”, but the awkward feelings you get looking at the picture of a dolphin entangled in a fishing net, dead, clearly show how this definition is cold. In Greek mythology, dolphins were messengers of Poseidon, the god of the sea. Today, dolphins and cetaceans have maybe lost their sacred aura, but they are still some of the most visible and iconic indicators of ocean health. It is clear we must give them proper protection from the many human activities – including fishing. Read the full entry

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