Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Overfishing film 'warning' on bluefin tuna

Updated at 8:48 pm on 8 March 2010

Marine advocates say a documentary about the international impact of overfishing should serve as a wake up call for New Zealand's growing bluefin tuna fishing interests.

The End of the Line, which is being shown in cinemas, argues that commercial fisheries are overexploiting the oceans for short term profit.

The documentary largely focuses on overfishing of the endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Marine advocates say it highlights a concern close to home, that the critically endangered southern bluefin tuna is being fished to the brink of extinction.

At the last Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna international meeting, it was agreed catch limits should be cut by 20%.

But the Ministry of Fisheries wants to increase New Zealand's quota from 420 to 532 tonnes, partly because it was allocated smaller limits than other countries in previous years.

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