Atlantic Bluefin TunaAtlantic Bluefin Tuna

ByByVarian Bosch, Sam Lincoln, Celia Smith, Michael Varian Bosch, Sam Lincoln, Celia Smith, Michael

Schillawski, and Keith CasadeiSchillawski, and Keith Casadei

ObjectiveObjective• To determine what weaknesses exist in To determine what weaknesses exist in

the current institutional framework of the current institutional framework of the Bluefin tuna fishery managementthe Bluefin tuna fishery management

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNING

BODIES

MARKET

COMMUNITY (Nations and

NGOs)

The Atlantic Bluefin TunaThe Atlantic Bluefin Tuna• Up to 15 feet longUp to 15 feet long

• Up to 1,506 lbsUp to 1,506 lbs

• Little known about life Little known about life historyhistory

• Highly migratoryHighly migratory

• Two PopulationsTwo Populations– MediterraneanMediterranean– Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico

ProblemProblem• Population crashPopulation crash

– 90% reduction since 1950s90% reduction since 1950s– Possibility of extinctionPossibility of extinction

• Continued overfishingContinued overfishing• Lax regulations and enforcementLax regulations and enforcement

Current Institutional Current Institutional FrameworkFramework

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES MARKET

COMMUNITY (Nations and NGOs)

The MarketThe Market• CookingCooking

– Japanese SushiJapanese Sushi

• High PriceHigh Price– Luxury goodLuxury good– $172,400 for a fish$172,400 for a fish

• InelasticInelastic– No matter the price No matter the price

people will still pay for itpeople will still pay for it

International BodiesInternational Bodies• ICCAT recommendsICCAT recommends

– Quota catch limitsQuota catch limits• TotalTotal• Divides quota to member statesDivides quota to member states

– Size limitsSize limits

• ICCAT conducts bi-annual stock assessments ICCAT conducts bi-annual stock assessments to determine their recommendationsto determine their recommendations

• Countries typically amend the Countries typically amend the recommendationsrecommendations

CommunityCommunity• GovernmentsGovernments

– Allocated quota subdivided by Allocated quota subdivided by • Nation (Europe)Nation (Europe)• TechniqueTechnique

– Enforces quotas Enforces quotas – Monitors fleets and portsMonitors fleets and ports– Insures and maintains accurate records of:Insures and maintains accurate records of:

• CatchCatch• TechniqueTechnique• VesselVessel• Port of landingPort of landing

CommunityCommunity• NGOsNGOs

– Research OrganizationsResearch Organizations•Tag a GiantTag a Giant

– Research life biologyResearch life biology– Sports fishermenSports fishermen

•Push for conservation of stocks and policy Push for conservation of stocks and policy changeschanges

– Conservation AgenciesConservation Agencies•WWF, WCS, and othersWWF, WCS, and others

– Pushing for policy changePushing for policy change

Implementation ProblemsImplementation Problems• Highly migratoryHighly migratory

• International International coordinationcoordination

• Illegal and Illegal and unreported catches, unreported catches, driven by high driven by high market demandmarket demand

• Data collectionData collection

SolutionsSolutions• Continued international cooperationContinued international cooperation• BoycottBoycott• Heavy taxHeavy tax• Stricter regulationsStricter regulations• Stricter enforcementStricter enforcement• FarmingFarming• MoratoriumMoratorium

Atlantic Bluefin TunaAtlantic Bluefin Tuna

ByByVarian Bosch, Sam Lincoln, Celia Smith, Michael Varian Bosch, Sam Lincoln, Celia Smith, Michael

Schillawski, and Keith CasadeiSchillawski, and Keith Casadei

Questions?