UN wildlife agency backs ban on bluefin tuna trade

The UN's wildlife trade agency on Friday said it backed a proposed ban on the international trade in bluefin tuna, a prized delicacy in Asia, which is due to be examined by 175 countries next month. "We are recommending that the parties approve the proposal smade by Monaco," said David Morgan, head of the scientific support unit at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Japan has opposed the ban proposed by Monaco, which would classify the fish as a species threatened with extinction, CITES officials said. EU and US proposals to limit international trade in some types of sharks are also due to be examined when CITES holds its triennial meeting in Qatar on March 13 to 25.