WWF calls for supermarkets to boycott bluefin tuna

TERRA.WIRE

WWF calls for supermarkets to boycott bluefin tuna
PARIS, Jan 28 (AFP) Jan 28, 2008
The environmental group WWF on Monday called on supermarket chains around the world to take bluefin tuna off their shelves, saying overfishing, driven by the craze for sushi, threatened to wipe out the species.

Praising several retail chains that have taken the lead in refusing to sell bluefin, WWF said it was time for "retailers around the world to emulate their courageous decision... until this fish is out of danger."

Last November, European Union (EU) fisheries ministers agreed to restrict the fishing of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean under a 15-year plan to revive dwindling stocks.

The French supermarket giant Auchan, as well as the Italian subsidiaries of Coop and Carrefour, have already stopped selling bluefin.