Tuna battle from brink of extinction
Tuna have recovered from the brink of extinction thanks to the work of conservationists, according to research.
Four of the seven species of tuna have experienced an upturn in their fortunes after more sustainable fishing practices were adopted.
The status of the Atlantic bluefin tuna moved from Endangered to Least Concern on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The albacore tuna – commonly sold in supermarkets – has gone from Near Threatened to Least Concern.
But the news was not as good for all marine life as almost four in 10 sharks and rays are
Then she spread her dark cloak of wings, and leaned on the island air – Jim Crumley
threatened with extinction. The pressures of fishing, pollution and climate change are being blamed for the drop in their numbers.
Dr Andy Cornish, shark programme leader at the conservation charity WWF, said: “We are losing this ancient group of creatures – starting to lose it species by species right here, right now – we desperately need urgent action.”
Some tuna stocks in parts of the world are also still in serious decline, including the yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean.
And, on land, the Komodo dragon – the world’s heaviest lizard – has moved nearer to extinction and its habitat is likely to be affected by rising sea levels.
Tuna has been one of the species in the spotlight after most types were declared to be
nearing extinction in 2011.