ESG & GONHS reiterate concerns over bluefin tuna fishing season

The Environmental Safety Group and the Ornithological and Natural History Society have reiterated their concerns over the bluefin tuna fishing season.

In a joint statement, released just before the season was temporarily suspended, they reiterate their belief that the quota is "out of all proportion to Gibraltar's size and territorial waters".

The ESG and GONHS say Gibraltar's quota is 0.38 percent of Spain's - but our territorial waters are 0.03 percent the size of Spain's.

They add that Spain's recreational quota comprises less than one percent of its entire tuna quota - whereas all bluefinfishing in Gibraltar is recreational.

In the UK, they say, there are rules to manage the increased quota - adding these should be followed in Gibraltar to strengthen oversight and ensure the highest welfare standards.

In both cases, the NGOs say, recreational licences strictly forbid the sale of any bluefin tuna caught for consumption - asking the Government to clarify whether this also applies locally.

The ESG and GONHS say they continue to oppose fishing for tuna for sport when this is not accompanied by tag-and-release programmes - but that at the very least, Gibraltar should have smaller quotas.

They say they fear overfishing will only be rolled back when the bluefin numbers deplete again - saying the focus should instead be on sustainable harvesting.

Janet Howitt and Keith Bensusan also spoke on the matter to Kelly Anne Borge on Gibraltar Today