Bluefin tuna tops CITES conference agenda in Doha

[March 13, 2010]  DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- The Atlantic bluefin tuna and other marine life in the world's overfished oceans are the focus of a United Nations conference in the Gulf state of Qatar.

The 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, is discussing new proposals to regulate the shark trade and a ban on the export of a tuna species prized by sushi lovers.

Of 42 proposals that address issues like combating elephant poaching for ivory in Africa and banning trade in polar bear skins, those focusing on sharks and tuna are likely to be among the most contentious during two weeks of deliberations that opened Saturday.

They pit the Europeans and Americans against fishing nations in North Africa and Asia, especially Japan, which has already vowed to ignore any bluefin ban.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) - The Atlantic bluefin tuna and other marine life in the world's overfished oceans are the focus of a United Nations conference in the Gulf state of Qatar.

The 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, is discussing new proposals to regulate the shark trade and a ban on the export of a tuna species prized by sushi lovers.

Of 42 proposals that address issues like combating elephant poaching for ivory in Africa and banning trade in polar bear skins, those focusing on sharks and tuna are likely to be among the most contentious during two weeks of deliberations that opened Saturday.

They pit the Europeans and Americans against fishing nations in North Africa and Asia, especially Japan, which has already vowed to ignore any bluefin ban.

[Associated Press]

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