Tuna fishing suspended
Tokyo
August 4, 2008
JAPANESE tuna fishermen have temporarily halted operations in a bid to revive stocks that are rapidly declining under pressure from a worldwide sushi craze.
Tuna vessels from Japan's largest fisheries co-operative are taking part in the suspension.
Some 230 long-line vessels, accounting for 60% of these ships in Japan, will stay in dock for two months, spaced out over the next two years, an official at the co-operative said.
Tuna catches are expected to be cut by 5% on Japanese vessels.
The move is part of co-ordinated efforts with fishermen in China, Taiwan and South Korea to rebuild tuna stock, which has fallen dramatically in recent years.