Federal management of Western Atlantic bluefin tuna

Petition: 367

Issue(s): Fisheries, governance, international cooperation, science and technology

Petitioner(s): Canadian organization

Petitioner Location(s): Halifax, Nova Scotia

Date Received: 14 July 2014

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received

Summary: The petition outlines the status of Western Atlantic bluefin tuna and raises concerns about the various measures in place for its protection. The petition indicates that the Atlantic Canadian fishery uses low-impact gear and is closely monitored; however, it asserts that the Western Atlantic bluefin population is still severely depleted after decades of overfishing. According to the petition, the population of this stock was severely depleted back in 1970 but it has continued to decline and now stands at 36 percent of 1970 levels.

The petition points out that in 2011, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada assessed the status of Western Atlantic bluefin tuna and concluded that it should be considered “endangered.” The petition notes that the government conducted public consultations on the consequences of listing bluefin tuna as endangered in the autumn of 2012 and asks when a final decision on whether or not to list the species under the federal Species at Risk Act can be expected. The petition asserts that if the government decides not to list the species, it should provide its rationale.

The petition also states that there is a sizable backlog in the assessments required by the Act and asks whether a decision on listing bluefin tuna will be prioritized as part of the ongoing process to address the backlog. Furthermore, the petition asks what steps are being put in place by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to ensure that the status of the bluefin tuna will not deteriorate further while the listing process is under way.

The petition also discusses the total allowable catch (TAC) for Western Atlantic bluefin tuna. It states that the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will likely recommend no increase in the Canadian quota for 2015. The petition notes that the federal government discussed the possibility of approving a scientific research quota in 2013 and 2014 and that this research quota would be in addition to the existing quota assigned by ICCAT. The petition raises the concern that any increase in the catch would adversely affect the Western Atlantic bluefin tuna population, citing Canada’s commitment to conservation and the precautionary approach under the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement.

The petition also questions the basis for assigning a quota for research given that DFO has not finalized its new “Use of Fish” policy (Fish Allocation for Financing Purposes Policy). The petition asks when this policy will be completed and made public and requests a list of approved “fish for science” projects.

Federal departments responsible for reply: Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada