French, Spanish vessels exhaust bluefin quota

The bluefin tuna fishery for French and Spanish purse seiners has been shut down 15 days ahead of schedule.

The purse seine quota allocated to both countries was exhausted late Tuesday, and the six Spanish and nine French purse seiners have been called back to port, according to European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki’s office.

The fishery for purse seiners opened on 16 May and was due to close on 14 June if the quota had not been met by then.

The European Commission, in coordination with France and Spain as well as with other member states, continue to closely monitor the other bluefin tuna fishing activities.

Last week, the European Parliament adopted legislation aimed at protecting the bluefin tuna population in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.