Bluefin Tuna on the Edge of Extinction - Essay Example

Bluefin Tuna – On The Edge Of Extinction Introduction The rate at which Bluefin tuna were being harvested in the Atlantic regions had declined between the 20 year period, starting from 1970 and ending during 1990 (Phyne 209). During the period of 1991the International Commission for the Conversation of Atlantic Tunas identified and testified that the upbringing population of Bluefin tuna that were residing in West Atlantic region had decreased substantially by a total of 24% during the period of 1990 (Safina 230). The Bluefin tuna that is most commonly found in the Atlantic regions is one of the most commonly migrating fish that belongs to the pelagic area of the sea and is a representative of the marine family of Scombridae and is even a well-known member of the family of Thunnus (Phyne 209). This fish species migrates in huge numbers in the ocean located in the northern Atlantic regions and they are even found in areas with high temperatures including the areas located at the Gulf of St. Lawrence and they even exist in the tropical regions including Gulf of Mexico as well as the region of Caribbean Sea (Phyne 200). This species of fish has the ability to survive in heated areas because they can utilize their metabolic heat in order to keep up with temperatures that are much heated than the open waters (Phyne 200). During the period of 1960s it was one of the most unwanted and neglect fish and was being sold in the region of United States at very low prices as compared to the prices at which it is sold today (Narula 1). Narula states that it was highly disliked by the Japanese population because it had a very displeasing taste that was bloody as well as fatty in nature (Narula 1). Phyne states that during the period of 1600s, the Bluefin tuna was being harvested by the regions including Spain as well as Italy through the method of fish trapping (Phyne 205). But, during the period of 1990s it was reported that the adult population of this fish declined by 50% as compared to its population that existed during the 1970s (Safina 229). Narula reports that during the period of 2013 it was figured out that the stocks of this fish throughout the world had declined by more than 96% as compared to its total population during the period of 1950 (Narula 1). Several efforts have been made to conserve the population of this fish and to stop it from becoming extinct and to increase the number of adult population of this fish in order to increase the breeding of these fishes (Phyne 207). But the problem is that those who are trying to conserve this fish have not really taken hands on approach and they have neglected the findings of their own scientific research teams (Safina 229). If strict measures to decrease the issue of overfishing are not adopted today, the possibility of this fish moving from the list of endangered species to extinct species is relatively high. Body Life History The Bluefin tuna that is found in the Atlantic regions belong to the oceans of Atlantic regions that are located towards the west including the oceans that are located in Brazil as well as Caribbean Sea (Phyne 201). They even exist in the eastern side of the oceans of Atlantic region and are found in the seas of Mediterranean as well as the Black Seas (Phyne 201). There is a major difference in the age at which the Bluefin tuna found in the eastern and western Atlantic Oceans reach the age of maturity (Phyne 203). Those located in the eastern side such as those that live in the Meditation Seas attain the age of maturity between the ages of 3 to 5 and on the other hand those that are located in the western seas of Atlantic attain the age of maturity between the ages of 11 to 12 (Phyne 205). Similarly, there is a major difference in the dietary patterns of Bluefin tuna located in the eastern and the western Atlantic regions (Phyne 204). Those that live in the western side mostly consume lance that are smaller in size, Bluefin, herring as well as mackerel (Phyne 204). On the other hand, those located in the eastern side consume sprat, anchovy as well as pilchard that belong to the region of Europe (Phyne 205). Phyne states that the fishing of Bluefin tuna started as early as 1950 and this exploration was mostly conducted by the Japanese population (Phyne 205). Till the period of 1960s, the Bluefin tuna was in abundance and was not harvested in huge quantities due to the dislike for its taste amongst the Japanese populations (Narula 1). During the period of 1960 to 1970 the total catch rate of western as well as eastern Bluefin tuna was even lower than 10000 metric tons individually while cumulatively it was below 30000 metric tons (Phyne 206). Starting from 1970s the rate of catch of both the Eastern and Western tuna started increasing sharply while at the same time the highest number of Bluefin tuna that fell in the category of mature adults who can reproduce more Bluefin tuna was at its highest (Phyne 206). It was reported that during the period of 1973, the number of Bluefin tuna that had the capability to reproduce elevated to the levels of 51500 metric tons (Phyne 206). But within a 12 years period it declined to merely 15000 metric tons (Phyne 206). 5 years down the line and the decrease in the number of adult population further declined and it was reported that during the 1990s the decline accounted for 90% as compared to its availability during the period of 1975 (Safina 229). During the period of 2005, it was reported that the total adult population of Bluefin tuna had declined to only 3% (HighBeam Research 1). In 2009 the total adult population was recorded to be 14000 metric tons and this means that the population has remained quite stable since the period of 1985 (Phyne 206). According to Safina, Bluefin tuna is one of the most expensive fish items sold in Japan and during the period of 1990s it was sold at an action that took place in Tokyo at a price higher than $60,000 and was costing the clients of the restaurants in Japan around $350 per pound (Safina 229). By the 21st century the price of the Bluefin tuna escalated to great heights and it was recorded that during the period of 2013, a 489 pounds fish was sold at an auction at a price of $1.76 million while the price that the customers paid for one pound of Bluefin tuna was $345 and the restaurant owner who bought the Bluefin tuna at the auction reported that he would suffer a loss of $4.60 per pound (Narula 1). Importance To Human Beings Bluefin tuna continues to be the main ingredient of the most favorite meal of several Japanese throughout the world (Corson 1). In order to satisfy the needs of the Japanese customers, restaurant owners in different parts of the world including those that are located in the region of Tokyo are paying higher prices each year in auctions to purchase the best Bluefin tuna fishes (Narula 1). During the period of 2012, a restaurant owner paid 0.73 million and purchased the most expensive Bluefin tuna in that year and one year later the same restaurant owner paid $1.76 for the most expensive tuna in an auction held in Tokyo (Narula 1). Phyne states that in the Japanese market the buyer power is more than the supplier power and the buyers have the ability to influence the prices, quality as well as the governance of Bluefin tuna (Phyne 213). The Japanese market is the largest importer of this kind of fish and it was reported during the period of 2005 that they were importing more than 90% of the Bluefin tuna catches throughout the world (Phyne 214). It is the simple desire of the restaurant owners to serve their Japanese clients with sushi prepared with Bluefin tuna because the prices of per pound tuna even in 2013 has remained similar to the prices of per pound tuna of the period of 1990s. Narula states that the per pound Bluefin tuna that is charged to restaurant customers is $345 and during the period of 1990s the price of per pound tuna was $350. (Narula 1 & Safina 229). Phyne even reports that that the prices of this fish both in frozen and unfrozen form has decreased in the Japenese market since the period of 2001 (Phyne 215). He even states that it is no longer considered as a luxury and has become a part of everyday fast food items and is even available in the form of canned food (Phyne 215). Phyne even adds that the demand for Bluefin tuna is not only limited to Japan, it has entered other regions including Antigonish (Phyne 215). Causes of Endangerment Bluefin is considered as the most amazing creatures of marine life and is even one of the highest harvested creatures (Safina 229; Phyne 214; Narula 1; HighBeam Research 1; Corson 1). The over-exploitation of this creature is recognized as overfishing and is mostly caused due to high demand for the fish amongst the Japanese population who are Sushi lovers (Safina 229; Phyne 214; Narula 1; HighBeam Research 1; Corson 1). But the overexploitation of Bluefin tuna is caused mainly due to failure of conservation efforts and failure to govern (Safina 229; Phyne 222). The governing body that has the responsibility to manage the stock of Bluefin tuna is recognized as the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conversation of Atlantic Tuna) and the commission has failed to govern properly (Safina 230). Even when the scientific team of the commission had informed them that the quotas for fishing Bluefin tuna were needed to be decreased near to the levels of zero. The committee continued to assign a quota of 1160 and 2660 metric ton fishing of the Bluefin tuna for the scientific purposes (Safina 230). With the industrialization of the Bluefin tuna changes in the way it is captured have taken place (Phyne 207). Previously fish traps were used for harvesting, but later on the method of seine fishing was adopted and this led to further increase in the catch of this creature (Phyne 208). Another major reason for decline in the stocks of adult Bluefin tuna and overfishing is that Sushi lovers are not aware about the different ways through which Sushi can be prepared (Corson 1). Conservation Efforts Various efforts by policy makers have been made to avoid the possibility of extinction of Bluefin tuna. The ICCAT has used the method of quotas to restrict the capture of Bluefin tuna by setting quotas on the amount of Bluefin tunas that can be caught for scientific purposes (Safina 230). Other efforts include the increasing of the speed at which the Bluefin tuna develops body fat (Phyne 208). This process includes the feeding of Bluefin tuna with various other fishes to increase the speed of the development of body fat while these fishes are kept in rearing cages (Phyne 208). The purpose of this process was to increase the supply of Bluefin tuna fatty meat in order to meet the demand and decrease the rate of catch (Phyne 208). Another way that has been implemented to reduce the catch of Bluefin tuna that has been implemented is to educate the sushi lovers and developers about other options or fishes that can be used to produce sushi (Corson 1). Another method that has been proposed at the European parliament to address the issue of extinction of Bluefin tuna is to develop sanctuaries which will lead to reduction in the rate of catch during the seasons of spawning (European Parliament 1). Discussion A major decline in the adult population that can reproduce Bluefin tuna has been well documented since the period of 1990s. In order to put a stop to the over exploitation of Bluefin tuna and to avoid extinction of these precious creatures it is essential that all stakeholders work together. The ICCAT has to speed up its conservation efforts and they need to take measures that may even hurt some of the lobbying and interest groups. The conversation effort of feeding Bluefin tuna in order to increase the fatty meat of the creature needs to be further explored and implemented for a longer period of time. Furthermore, stricter quotas on the catch of Bluefin tuna for scientific purposes as well as industrial purposes need to be increased. Other than quotas, one of the best options is to implement sanctuaries in order to restrict catch of these creatures during the period of spawning. Other efforts to conserve the creatures such as educating individuals regarding implementation of different ingredients to produce sushi should be implemented. With such conservation and educational practices, the endangered fish species can be saved through reaching the status of extinction. Works Cited "Overfishing hits endangered bluefin." Australasian Business Intelligence. COMTEX News Network, Inc. 2005. HighBeam Research. 13 Oct. 2014 . Corson, Trevor. Better Sushi, But Without Bluefin Tuna. The Christian Science Monitor. N.p., 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. European Parliament,. Meps Debate The Use Of Tuna Sanctuaries To Protect Threatened Bluefin Tuna. N.p., 2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. Narula, Svati. Sushinomics: How Bluefin Tuna Became A Million-Dollar Fish. The Atlantic. N.p., 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. Phyne, John G, Michael J. W. Stokesbury, Montana F. McLean, and Phillip M. Saunders. "Sustainability and the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: Science, Socioeconomic Forces, and Governance." Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy. 16 (2013): 198-226. Print. Polacheck, Tom. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: Sustainability Threatened. Marine Policy 36.5 (2012): 1150-1165. Print. Safina, Carl. "Bluefin Tuna in the West Atlantic: Negligent Management and the Making of an Endangered Species." Conservation Biology. 7.2 (2013). Print. Read More