Save Atlantic Bluefin Tuna with CITES

We have a historic opportunity to save an imperiled species by prohibiting international commercial trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna through CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Unfortunately, the Obama Administration is still undecided about whether to support this proposal. To help them make this decision, we need Congress to weigh in. So, tell Congress, "Save Atlantic bluefin tuna with CITES."

After suffering from decades of overfishing, Atlantic bluefin tuna have been reduced to 18 percent of their pre-fishing level and have reached a potential population collapse. Countries from around the world have the opportunity to save this species and help it recover through a proposal to prohibit international trade at CITES in March 2010.

Other nations, including France, have publicly supported a CITES proposal to stop international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna, but the Obama Administration has not taken a position. Without U.S. support, this proposal could fail.

Congress must push the Administration to immediately and publicly declare its support for this proposal. Email your Senators and Representative and ask them to contact Thomas Strickland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, requesting that President Obama and the Department of Interior immediately and publicly support the proposal to protect Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Tell me more

Talking Points

Subject:

[Decision Maker]

(Edit Letter Below)

In March 2010, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will meet in Doha, Qatar.  At that meeting, 175 member countries will consider a proposal from the Principality of Monaco to prohibit all international trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna through a CITES Appendix I listing.  Please tell the Obama Administration to publicly support Monaco's proposal well in advance of that meeting.

Due to years of mismanagement by the international community that allowed overfishing, both illegal and legal, Atlantic bluefin tuna populations are at all time lows.  The western stock of mature Atlantic bluefin has declined 82 percent since 1970.  In addition, scientists have predicted that the Eastern Stock will decline to a similar level if the current management continues. Now is the time to act to stave off population collapse and the negative economic consequences that would follow such a collapse.  Only decisive action will restore this iconic fish to healthy levels.

A CITES Appendix I listing is an appropriate tool to accomplish the restoration of bluefin because it will allow American fishermen to continue fishing and selling their catch on the U.S. domestic market.  Most importantly, the listing will curb illegal fishing by foreign fishermen to meet the demands of the Japanese market and provide the species the necessary reprieve from overfishing that will allow for recovery.  This is something that international fisheries managers have failed to address for over 30 years.

Please contact Thomas L. Strickland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks at the U.S. Department of the Interior, and tell him that you support the Obama Administration publicly stating its support for Monaco's proposal to list Atlantic bluefin tuna on Appendix I of CITES.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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