WASHINGTON, DC - Tom Strickland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, announced that the United States supports a proposal submitted by the principality of Monaco to list the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

CITES Appendix-I listing affords a species stringent protection and prohibits all international commercial trade. The fifteenth regular meeting of the CITES parties is scheduled for March 13-24, 2010 in Doha, Qatar (CoP15). Strickland will lead the United States' delegation to CoP15, on behalf of the U.S. government.

"We understand the dire situation with respect to Atlantic bluefin tuna, and the U.S. intends to vigorously support Monaco's proposal at the upcoming CITES Conference," Strickland said. "We greatly appreciate Monaco's leadership to bring bluefin tuna conservation and management to the world's attention."

Monaco's proposal would require a two-thirds majority of the 175 CITES parties present and voting at CoP15 in order to be adopted. The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a long-lived species, found in the entire extent of the North Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas, particularly the Mediterranean Sea. The fishery is managed as two separate stocks separated by the 45ºW meridian: the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean ('Eastern') stock, and the Western Atlantic ('Western') stock. The separation between the stocks is based on separate spawning grounds, genetic differentiation, differing ages for reaching sexual maturity, and the apparent absence of spawning in the middle of the North Atlantic.

Atlantic bluefin tuna are harvested in both commercial and recreational fisheries, and a single bluefin tuna can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. The species is traditionally consumed fresh in Mediterranean countries and is also one of the most sought after species for the sashimi market in Japan and in the overall global market. Fishing has led to precipitous population declines of both stocks.

The Eastern stock of the Atlantic bluefin tuna has declined precipitously in the last 10 years. Based on estimated catches, scientists estimated the spawning stock biomass in 2007 to be 78,724 tons. This contrasts with the biomass peak estimated for 1958 at 305,136 tons. The decline over the 50-year historical period ranging from 1957 to 2007 is estimated at 74.2%, the bulk of which (60.9%) was in the last 10 years. Threats to the eastern stock include overharvesting and illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing by European and Mediterranean fishing fleets. The Western Atlantic spawning stock has declined by 82.4% from 49,482 tons in 1970 to 8,693 tons in 2007. In the past, decade, the Western stock has stabilized at a very low population level. Many experts correlate this stabilization to stronger management and compliance measures adopted for that stock, including scientifically based harvest quotas and a catch documentation scheme to ensure rigorous compliance by United States fishers.

The management of the bluefin tuna is regulated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). ICCAT is an inter-governmental, regional fishery management organization responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas. The 48 member countries to ICCAT will meet November 6-15 in Recife, Brazil. The management of the Atlantic bluefin tuna, will be the subject of much discussion at this November meeting, and the United States will be pursuing stricter regulation of bluefin tuna fishing.

"The eyes of the world will be focused on ICCAT and its effectiveness in addressing the threats of extinction for bluefin tuna," Strickland noted. "Unless, ICCAT adopts significantly strengthened management and compliance measures, specifically measures to address IUU harvest, the United States will exert complete and vigorous support for Monaco's CITES Appendix I listing proposal."

Source: U.S. DOI

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Brazil - Just as protecting the world’s forests is rapidly becoming a recognized necessity for fighting climate change, we have discovered that major fashion, food and sports brand names are unwittingly driving the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Top brands such as Adidas/Reebok, Timberland, Geox, Carrefour, Eurostar, Honda, Gucci, IKEA, Kraft, Clarks, Nike, Tesco and Wal-Mart involved.

Our three-year investigation into Brazil’s booming cattle industry - the largest source of deforestation in the world and Brazil’s main source of CO2 emissions - has found that some of the brands that we all know and love could be implicated in the widespread deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. The investigation also uncovers how the Brazilian government is bankrolling the destruction and is undermining its own efforts to tackle the global climate crisis.

Dirty Farms

The new Greenpeace report Slaughtering the Amazon tracks beef, leather and other cattle products from ranches involved in illegal deforestation, invasion of indigenous lands and slavery in Brazil back to the supply chains of top brands such as Adidas/Reebok, Timberland, Geox, Carrefour, Eurostar, Honda, Gucci, IKEA, Kraft, Clarks, Nike, Tesco and Wal-Mart.

Greenpeace investigators found that the Brazilian government has a vested interest in the further expansion of the cattle industry; it part-owns three of the country’s cattle giants - Bertin, JBS and Marfrig - which are responsible for fuelling the destruction of huge tracts of the Amazon. That’s right; the Amazon rainforest is being wiped out to make room for the beef in your TV dinner and the leather on your sneakers. Humans rights abuses, deforestation and climate change seem to us like a pretty big price to pay for the trainers we put on before our morning run.

Lula’s loopholes

Brazilian President Lula’s government forecasts that the country’s share of the global beef market will double by 2018. 2018 seems to be a big year for the Brazilian government as it also claims this is the year by which it will have cut deforestation by 72 percent. The expansion of the cattle sector threatens to undermine the government’s ability to fulfill its pledge. Brazil is the fourth largest climate polluter in the world, with the majority of its climate emissions coming from the clearance and burning of the Amazon rainforest.

"By bankrolling the destruction of the Amazon for cattle, President Lula’s government is undermining its own climate commitments as well as the global effort to tackle the climate crisis," said Andre Muggiati, Greenpeace Brazil, Amazon campaigner. "If it wants to be part of the climate solution, Lula’s government must get out of bed with cattle industry, and instead commit to ending Amazon deforestation. Otherwise it will be culpable in the global climate catastrophe that will ensue," he added.

Greenpeace is calling for developed world governments to provide USD 140 billion a year to tackle the climate crisis, to fund both mitigation and adaptation measures in developing countries. Approximately USD 40 billion a year of this should be designated to forest protection. The funds would be provided in return for a commitment to stop deforestation by 2015 in the Amazon and globally by 2020.

World leaders must take personal responsibility to agree strong global deal at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December 2009 in order to avert catastrophic climate change. Tropical deforestation accounts for approximately 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the world’s entire transport sector, so any deal must effectively tackle deforestation.

Source: Greenpeace

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NOAA officials joined two U.S. senators, state, and local community leaders yesterday at the grand opening of the Sanctuary Learning Center for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and Hawaiian cultural practitioner Kimokeo Kapahulehua were praised for their vision, dedication and support of the sanctuary and the new NOAA facility, located in Kihei, Maui.

"The National Humpback Whale Sanctuary Education Center will serve as a valuable resource to so many as we continue to protect the humpback whales and the ocean in which they live. People of all ages will benefit from having this center available to them from scientists, and students to the general public," said Sen. Inouye.

Sen. Daniel K. Akaka and Laura Thielen, Director of Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, were also among the dignitaries at the ceremony.

"Scientists have an obligation to share what they know with the broader world. I know this facility will greatly enhance the sanctuary's education, research and ocean protection efforts," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Here among the unique and pristine waters of this sanctuary, I'm reminded of the important connections we play in this beautiful ecosystem. We are grateful for the support Sen. Inouye, Kimokeo Kapahulehua and others have provided to make it a reality."

The new 4,600-square-foot, single-story learning center is located next to the sanctuary office building, adjacent to the historic Ko'ie'ie Hawaiian fishpond and sanctuary waters. The learning center provides facilities for offices and classroom space for school groups and public programs.

"Maui County is the heart of the humpback whale sanctuary," said Naomi McIntosh, sanctuary superintendent. "This center will serve the sanctuary and the community by providing a new venue to work together to protect Hawaii's humpback whales."

The facility also will enhance interaction with the greater Pacific and international marine mammal management community. Delegates from the United States, Fiji, Australia, Philippines, Uruguay, Guatemala and Brazil visited the learning center during the recent International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas.

Construction on the $6.5 million building began in 2004 and was completed earlier this year.

Source: NOAA

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