24 Nov 2014

US faces lawsuit over 'violating' tuna quota

7:42 am on 24 November 2014

Environmental groups are suing the US fisheries service over a new rule that they argue doubles the fishing quota for the already overfished bigeye tuna.

A Yellow Fin Tuna

A Yellow Fin Tuna Photo: RNZI

A not-for-profit lawfirm representing the groups, Earthjustice, says the US has lifted catch limits for the Hawai'i-based fishing fleet and violated its commitments under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention.

An Earthjustice lawyer, David Henkin, who is based in Hawai'i, says it's important the US lead by example and play by the rules.

"This is irresponsible and it is bad policy because you can't negotiate international agreements and have any credibilty if you are going to ignore the limits that are imposed and it's [also] bad policy because we are not going to have any fish left if everyone acts this way."

David Henkin says bigeye tuna has been overfished since the 1990s.