Fed's tuna stand could hurt ME fishermen
A decision by the Obama administration that would prevent Maine fishermen from exporting bluefin tuna is getting heat from Maine’s congressional delegation.
The Obama administration supports listing bluefin tuna as an internationally endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which would effectively shut off valuable export markets like Japan to Maine’s fishermen, according to a press release from Rep. Chellie Pingree. However, the CITES listing would not prevent Maine fishermen from selling tuna on the domestic market.
Pingree said she was “outraged” by the decision and that it could put Maine fishermen out of business. “Maine has a strong tuna fishing tradition and in these tough economic times, the ability to catch and sell a tuna makes the difference for coastal Maine families. This is the worst possible time to place this unreasonable burden on them.”
Sen. Olympia Snowe also criticized the decision, calling it "a reckless decision that will ultimately prove ineffectual and cause disproportionate harm to the U.S. bluefin tuna fishery," according to MPBN.
Read the report from MPBN >>
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