Catch them while you can - endangered bluefin tuna © Greenpeace/Gavin Newman
When we said a few weeks ago that customers of the Nobu chain of high-class sushi restaurants wouldn't be aware that the bluefin tuna being served there was endangered, we never thought they would respond to our complaint in quite such a literal manner. But now diners can clearly see which dishes include tuna from endangered stocks because it's written on the menu. As reported in the Sunday Telegraph and as a result of Greenpeace's investigative work and subsequent discussions with Nobu, customers at the up-market eatery will now be able to clearly identify the endangered species on the menu.
All of this comes just after the publication of an independent report slamming ICCAT (the international body responsible for managing stocks of tuna in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean) as an 'international disgrace'. US actor Ted Danson has also leant his weight to the campaign to protect endangered bluefin stocks.
The news from Nobu is that they want to change. We've been told by one of their partners that they will support lobbying for stronger controls on bluefin fisheries, and also look at how Nobu can remove endangered bluefin from its menu.
And not before time. Labelling endangered species on the menu is clearly not enough - they shouldn't be being served up in the first place. This just goes to show how many people just don't realise the perilous state of many of our marine species are in - if endangered mammals like gorillas or rhinos were being served up, it would be unthinkable.
Estimates suggest that the already-depleted stocks of tuna in the Mediterranean are being fished four times more intensively than the best scientific advice recommends, showing what a mockery the current fish stock management system is. A ban on all bluefin fishing in the area is desperately needed until stocks recover and effective management has been introduced. One of the most crucial steps is to permanently protect all known bluefin tuna spawning grounds as marine reserves that are off-limits to fishing.
The ball is now firmly in Nobu's court - and that of other sushi restaurants - to explain exactly what they're going to do to make sure that future generations of customers might have a chance to order some bluefin sushi with a clear conscience.
