Japanese fishermen are facing a unique problem – an abundance of bluefin tuna. The quota system in place since 2015 limits Japan to catching no more than 8,421 metric tons of bluefin tuna this year. Despite the increased quota, many fishermen are close to reaching their limit, forcing them to release the fish.
Quota System
The international quota system is in place to protect the bluefin tuna population, which was once endangered. However, the surge in the population has led to a situation where fishermen are unable to capitalize on the abundance of the species. The quota system allows Japan to catch a certain amount of bluefin tuna, but the sheer scale of the surge means many fishermen are close to reaching their limit.
Japan is proposing a revision to the quotas, which would increase the western and central Pacific region’s fishing quota for large bluefin tuna by 25% next year. The proposal would also reduce the allowance for bluefin tuna weighing less than 30 kg by 6% to protect the breeding population.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
