I was really glad to read some hopeful news in the Grist Food blog today, (which I highly recommend if you’re into food politics): Apparently the U.S. is stepping in to conserve bluefin tuna by supporting an international ban on the pricey fish.

In about ten days, 175 representatives will meet to vote on this ban at CITES ( “the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.)” Several European countries have already given their thumbs up, while Japan says thumbs down though, so this is not entirely good news yet. According to the Washington Post article, the proposal needs a two-thirds majority to pass and the EU has this week to decide whether it will approve or decline the ban.

According to the End of the Line blog,

“23 out of the 27 EU countries now support the species being protected by CITES (the organisation which regulates trade in endangered species). It also means there is no longer any effective block to stop the EU reaching a common position (at a previous vote, it had been blocked by the Mediterranean countries).”

The Washington Post article explains:

“Over the past half-century, the adult population of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna has declined 74 percent, much of it in the past decade. In the western Atlantic, the population has dropped 82 percent in 40 years. The declines came even as bluefin fishing was being governed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, which sets catch quotas for the fish and is supposed to curtail illegal fishing”

After watching End of the Line and more recently watching The Cove – nominated for an Oscar along with other powerful documentaries this year, like Food, Inc. – I’ve been so disheartened about the fishing industry and marine life conservation. The last time I went out for sushi I felt too guilty to go back. Lately I limit my seafood intake to omega-3 rich fish like anchovies as a condiment in my salads, abundant fish like talapia from time to time, scallops or wild salmon for the occasional treat.

I hope a ban like this goes through. We as consumers need to spread the word and participate to make it happen. But as the films I mentioned show us, we need laws to help the cause.