Bluefin tuna, which is no longer classified as an endangered species, is seen at Tokyo Sea Life Park in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, on March 31, 2015. (Mainichi/Noriko Tokuno)

       TOKYO -- The endangered ranks of Pacific bluefin tuna and Atlantic bluefin tuna have been lowered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

       The IUCN released its latest Red List of Threatened Species on Sept. 4, downgrading the Pacific bluefin tuna and Atlantic bluefin tuna, which had been classified as endangered, to "Near Threatened" for the former and "Least Concern" for the latter.

       Bruce Collett, chair of the IUCN SSC Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group, noted that the recovery of some tuna stocks is "proof that sustainable fisheries approaches work, with enormous long-term benefits for livelihoods and biodiversity. We need to continue enforcing sustainable fishing quotas and cracking down on illegal fishing."

       For this revision, the IUCN reevaluated the seven major tuna species that are caught commercially. Of these, Atlantic bluefin tuna, southern bluefin tuna, albacore tuna, and yellowfin tuna have shown signs of resource recovery through the establishment of catch quotas and other measures.

       Atlantic bluefin tuna, which was listed as "Endangered," the second highest risk among endangered species, has been lowered to "Least Concern." Meanwhile, southern bluefin tuna remains an endangered species, but has been downgraded from the highest risk category of "Critically Endangered" to "Endangered."

       Pacific bluefin tuna was classified as "Vulnerable" in 2014, the third highest risk among endangered species. As a result of a reassessment based on new data, it has now been lowered to "Near Threatened." However, "this species remains severely depleted," the report said.

       (Japanese original by Ai Oba, Science & Environment News Department)

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