Pew Statement on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Decision

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lee Crockett, director, Federal Fisheries Policy for the Pew Environment Group, released the following statement in response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) announcement regarding the listing of Atlantic bluefin tuna under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

"While NOAA has decided not to list Atlantic bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act, the agency has recognized it as a 'species of concern.' The United States has a responsibility to step up its efforts to exert international leadership to protect Atlantic bluefin.

"Specifically, the U.S. needs to act to:

• Protect bluefin tuna spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea;
• Significantly reduce its bycatch in U.S. surface longline fisheries; and
• Eliminate illegal fishing and fraud in the Mediterranean bluefin fishery."

The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization that works globally to establish pragmatic, science-based policies that protect our oceans, preserve our wildlands and promote clean energy. For more information, visit www.PewEnvironment.org.

Contact: Dave Bard, 202.486.4426, [email protected]

SOURCE The Pew Environment Group