Efforts to protect Atlantic bluefin tuna have suffered a blow, with dozens of countries voting against a trade ban. The rejection of the proposal has drawn condemnation from environmental groups.

 

The decision not to back the move could spell disaster for stocks of bluefin tuna.

175 nations attended the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Doha. 68 nations voted no to the Monaco sponsored trade ban. 20 countries voted in favor of the proposal, while 30 others abstained.

Stocks of Atlantic bluefin tuna, prized as a delicacy in Japan, have plunged 85 percent since 1970 when they became a major commercial product.

Japan imports about 80 percent of the global catch.

Japan has expressed willingness to accept lower quotas and take measures to conserve Atlantic bluefin tuna. However, it will only abide by decisions made by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, or the ICCAT, which currently regulates the trade.

Masanori Miyahara, Leader Japanese Delegation, said, "I'm happy to have this result, but at the same time the meeting has not finished yet. So we will just continue our work until the end of the plenary of this conference, and after that, of course we have commitment to work in ICCAT to ensure the recovery of Atlantic bluefin tuna. This is a big task, it is a more important task for us."

The United States, a major supporter of the proposed trade ban, criticized the meeting.

Jane Lyder, Leader US Delegation, said, "There was an intense amount of lobbying that went on here at this meeting, an intense amount of pressure that was put on many of the parties to this delegation. We understand that, we understand that that happens, and so while we're disappointed by the vote, we're not surprised by the vote."

A single fish can weigh up to 650 kg and fetch more than 100,000 US dollars. The fish is found in the north Atlantic, as well as the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Mexico.

France, Italy and Spain catch most of the tuna consumed by the global market.