Japanese food is known around the world for being only the best. While that is generally accepted wherever you go, Japanese cuisine does have its controversial points. Perhaps one of the most controversial things right now is the bluefin tuna. Think sushi and sashimi – only the best kind. The bluefin tuna can fetch astronomical prices in the local and international markets due to its incomparable quality.
This popularity has led to the decline of bluefin tuna populations, and conservationists have been trying to get a ban – albeit temporarily – imposed on bluefin tuna fishing and trade. According to scientists, the population of bluefin tuna is in danger, and this fish just might very well become extinct if we do not do anything about it.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) was held in Doha last week, and countries took opposite sides of the argument. Naturally, Japan was on the side of continuing with the bluefin tuna trade. Not only does it involve business matters, but the bluefin tuna is an integral part of their cultural heritage. Japan did have a lot of support from other countries, and despite the influence of the European Union and the United States – who were leaning towards imposing a temporary ban – Japan emerged the victor.
There will be no ban on bluefin tuna fishing.
That’s good news for those involved in this business. That’s good news for those who can’t get enough of tuna. And, that includes yours truly.
I can’t get over the idea, however, that we might end up killing all the tuna fish out there. And, when that happens, what are we to do?
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Posted March 23rd, 2010 by Maki | Comments (3)
Hello!
I used to work on a commercial fishing boat and come from a long family history of fishermen. I also like high quality sushi. It is hard to give up something so delightful, and if it is your only means of income than it is near impossible. That being said though, no one understands the beauty and diversity of the world’s ocean like the people who live and work at sea. Unfortunately, the way that fish are caught often includes many species that were caught along with the tuna and die accidentally. It is called bycatch and I have personally seen hundreds of thousands of pounds of beautiful fish thrown back into the ocean already dead because of this.
I want my children to enjoy tuna and the amazing gift of a healthy ocean. If you can’t give up tuna than look for tuna that was caught the old fashioned way with fishing pole and line. It does not harm the surrounding environment and this method virtually eliminates bycatch.
Also try to avoid farmed tuna. This may sound like the perfect solution on the surface, but when you put a large number of fish together it becomes a breeding ground for parasitic infestation and disease. Also because of the high volume of fish there is a high volume of fish excrement. This changes the chemical balance of the surrounding ocean making it more acidic. Then the area becomes a dead zone. Everything dies.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Hopefully your nation will starve, or all die of mercury poisoning
I feel your attitude to this matter is somewhat childish in nature as both you and your nation have no control over your greed, I suppose your rationale is eat as much of it now because when its gone, it’s gone, the tides will turn and the foe will emerge from your pockets as the real world (not politicians that can be bribed as you have so often relied upon) begin to realise what your nation is actually doing, and stop buying products from Japan which at this stage your already weekend economy will collapse, at which stage both myself and the rest of the real World will rejoice.