Atlantic bluefin tuna trade ban rejected

Last Updated: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:28:00 +1100

Dozens of countries have voted against a trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna.

The result drew condemnation from environmental groups but was roundly welcomed by Japan which had vigourously lobbied against the ban.

The vote took place among 175 countries meeting for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Doha.

68 countries voted against the ban, with 20 in favour and 30 countries abstaining.

Atlantic bluefin tuna is prized as a delicacy in Japan, but stocks of the fish have plunged more than 80 percent since 1970.

Japan imports around 80 percent of the catch.

France, Italy and Spain catch most of the tuna consumed by the global market.

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