An email response from the Center for Biological Diversity on the ESA petition

[mudshark]

While I think the action CBD took is not the smartest or right one I thought it was interesting that CBD and ABFTA probably would agree that:

-ICCAT is not working right
-Med catch needs to come down
-Western management is in much better shape and is done sustainably
-IF BFT was screwed it is good for neither fisherman or consumer to continue fishing

Just thought that those were some pretty major points to agree on, it seems like it is the response that is disagreed upon. Perhaps an opportunity for rational discussion amongst groups to iron out differences and provide an even larger and more organized front against ICCAT and Med overfishing (and a group to help push US caught BFT and educate the public about the difference in the fisheries rather than a blanket BAN BFT). Seems like you made contact with a rational person who was willing to discuss things intelligently. Not a guarantee things would work but isn't something that as a community we should be thinking about rather than just trying to burn a bridge and get more ammo for a fight?

[LurkerCharters]

Ya, they are willing to discuss and thats it. The petition is filed and its out of their hands. Its up to the hacks at noaa and nmfs to determine the viability of the petition. I think that everyone who attended the meetings and sent in their observations on the sheer numbers of fish will be enough to stop the esa listing. keep in mind we are dealing with corrupt government officials who can and will do whatever benefits them and their friends. The stocks are definitely not as strong as they used to be, anyone who has been fishing for over twenty years will tell you there aren't as many giants these days. although what happened out at georges last year flies in the face of that rationale. If a seiner ever showed up out there, that would be a disaster, luckily they weren't interested.

[Junior11]

This is the graph that was cited by the CBD when responding to my claim that landings in the US have increased the last 3 years. Also this is what they are citing when making their claim that the Bluefin stock is approaching levels that warrant them being placed on the endangered list. I have it nailed I think, but before I offer my opinion I would like to offer this information up to others for them to form their own. I will respond later on today.

[twofinbluna]

While I think the action CBD took is not the smartest or right one I thought it was interesting that CBD and ABFTA probably would agree that:

-ICCAT is not working right
-Med catch needs to come down
-Western management is in much better shape and is done sustainably
-IF BFT was screwed it is good for neither fisherman or consumer to continue fishing

Just thought that those were some pretty major points to agree on, it seems like it is the response that is disagreed upon. Perhaps an opportunity for rational discussion amongst groups to iron out differences and provide an even larger and more organized front against ICCAT and Med overfishing (and a group to help push US caught BFT and educate the public about the difference in the fisheries rather than a blanket BAN BFT). Seems like you made contact with a rational person who was willing to discuss things intelligently. Not a guarantee things would work but isn't something that as a community we should be thinking about rather than just trying to burn a bridge and get more ammo for a fight?

Mudshark-

While ABTA has always been out front in pointing out the lack of compliance in the east and many of those involved have been fighting that fight for almost two decades- the bottom line is that in recent years they have actually lowered their quotas to below what the management plan calls for, and it is pretty well accepted that they have started to actually follow the rules in place in past year or two. There are still some bad apples out there, but massive changes have occurred. The real test is whether or not they continue to stick by the science and continue to follow the rules. While we will continue to stay on top of that issue (trust me), it would be wrong to ignore what has taken place recently.

The western fishery has been following the science for a long time and will continue to, but it is encouraging to see the other side finally taking things more seriously. For many years we have been following the rules and the science. The problem is that what they (the east) were doing up until 2008 was so bad that it brought a lot of heat down on allof us and that is something that we are still dealing with. We all really hope that they stay on the path they are on now and continue to make strides to do what they need to do. Key areas are continued monitoring and enforcement at high levels to make sure they do not go back to their old ways.

But do not make the mistake into believing some of what you read about how things are still completely out of control, because they are not. That is what CBD and some others want you to think because it makes their move seem less vindictive and radical. Had they paid any attention to the actual science, and what is proven to be happening, they would know they are spewing BS. I was at the ICCAT meeting and saw with my own eyes when the EU and other participants in the eastern fishery agree to not only cut their quotas to levels below what was required, but also to agree to paying back past overages which lowered their quota even more. Things are not what they were 2 or3 years ago.

What CBD is doing is totally uncalled for and has no place in fishery management- no good will come from this attempt of theirs. They recklessly jumped into this battle with very little knowledge of the situation because they saw an opportunity (public outcry over the oil spill) and have been spreading a lot of nonsense in order to dupe the public. Their side move of calling for a boycott (especially here in the US) shows a lot about what they really are trying to do here, and it has nothing to do with punishing the europeans. The negative impacts will only be felt here in this country, by US fishermen that have done everything that has ever been asked of them.

If CBD wanted to foster a good relationship and really cared about having a meaningful impact on bluefin management, this was not the path to take. Step back and look at what they are working hard to do here- label bluefin as going extinct so that they can completely shut down our fishery. Nevermind the fact that there is not a shred of science out there showing this is needed and that there are millions and millions of these things out there (and thats based on the stock assessments which the majority of people would tell you is underestimating things). There are plenty of tuna out there and with 30-40,000 mt being left in the water due to the cuts in the east, there is going to be an explosion in numbers in the coming years.

Do not be fooled by this "rational" response from CBD; remember what that same person is really doing here. Trying to list these fish is just plain wrong and hopefully if we can beat this thing, CBD will go back to whatever it was they were doing before they started trying to screw over our fishery.