MEPs update Med and Atlantic bluefin tuna management measures in the Atlantic and Mediterranean

MEPs have updated the conservation and control measures in the ICCAT area as well as the multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The plenary gave its final green light to integrating into EU law the recommendations of the regional fisheries organisation International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) for this area. The House approved the new bill with 568 votes in favour to 44 against and 14 abstentions. To make EU rules as up to date as possible, MEPs made improvements to the Commission proposal concerning different species, such as tropical tunas, albacore, swordfish, sailfish, blue and white marlin, shortfin mako sharks and sea turtles. As an example, and in order to support the stock assessment process, MEPs ask EU countries to improve data collection on catches of different species, including live and dead discards, and report it annually. Those countries with a bluefin tuna quota will also need to set up a ...