Managing Bluefin Tuna in the Mediterranean Sea

Ussif Sumaila and Ling Huang

No 576, Working Papers from Economic Research Forum

Abstract: In order to provide information to improve the stock conservation and sustainability of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus), this paper provides a background review to the bluefin tuna (BFT) fisheries and management regime in the Mediterranean Sea, and analyzes why it has failed. We find that: 1) the spawning stock biomass of BFT has decreased by 60% in quantity since 1974; 2) the total BFT catch per year in the Mediterranean Sea is about 24,000 t in recent years, however, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the same area could be as high as 47,800 t; and 3) the total landed value for Mediterranean BFT is estimated to be about 227 million USD a year, which results in 29 million USD of resource rent. It is also estimated that about 3,500 full-time fishing jobs are supported by BFT stock. Many factors prevent the successful management of BFT. Among them, the common-property and shared stock nature of the fishery, the existence of non-ICCAT (The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) members, and EU fishery subsidies. In order to address these issues, we suggest strengthening ICCAT institutions by developing effective cooperative mechanisms, introducing enforceable penalty regimes and establishing effective reporting and monitoring systems. In addition, ICCAT needs to seek ways to manage non-ICCAT members and convince the EU to reduce their fisheries subsidies for BFT fattening farms and vessel modernization. We also recommend the implementation of Marine Protected Areas to support regional management, and suggest that individual countries use individual transferable quotas or dedicated access privileges (where appropriate), and also resource optimization to improve their domestic management.

Pages: 27
Date: 2010-01-12, Revised 2010-01-12
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Journal Article: Managing Bluefin Tuna in the Mediterranean Sea (2012)
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