History of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Industry
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1960’s – Large
purse seine fisheries on Mid-Atlantic coast emerge, allowing fisheries to catch a significantly larger amount of tuna
1966 – ICCAT established
1970’s – Value of bluefin soars as fisheries in Japan and United States develop, fishing pressure increases dramatically
1980’s – Biomass of bluefin spawning stock declines
1990’s – Management programs are developed
1990 - Magnuson-Stevens Act amended, allowing Secretary of Commerce to manage Atlantic tunas
1992 – Highly Migratory Species Management Division is created by NOAA
1998 - ICCAT adopts rebuilding program
2000’s – Management programs are modified, some progress is apparent
2000 - 2006 - Western Atlantic fisheries comply with management, Eastern Atlantic catch still far in excess
2006 - 2009 - Further steps are taken to strengthen Eastern Atlantic management programs
2010 - Agreed catch limits for stocks are within healthy range and are expected to support population growth if compliance with quotas continue
2011 - NOAA requires fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico to use weak hooks to help rebuild depleted bluefin tuna populations [6]
1966 – ICCAT established
1970’s – Value of bluefin soars as fisheries in Japan and United States develop, fishing pressure increases dramatically
1980’s – Biomass of bluefin spawning stock declines
1990’s – Management programs are developed
1990 - Magnuson-Stevens Act amended, allowing Secretary of Commerce to manage Atlantic tunas
1992 – Highly Migratory Species Management Division is created by NOAA
1998 - ICCAT adopts rebuilding program
2000’s – Management programs are modified, some progress is apparent
2000 - 2006 - Western Atlantic fisheries comply with management, Eastern Atlantic catch still far in excess
2006 - 2009 - Further steps are taken to strengthen Eastern Atlantic management programs
2010 - Agreed catch limits for stocks are within healthy range and are expected to support population growth if compliance with quotas continue
2011 - NOAA requires fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico to use weak hooks to help rebuild depleted bluefin tuna populations [6]