There are still some issues to sort out but it's definitely a step in the right direction. Defining "traditional methods" is much too broad but having the EU join the ban is very important if the ban is to be agreed upon at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting next week. Well done by the Obama administration for taking the lead on this and putting pressure on the EU to do the right thing.
Japan raises an excellent point about the EU's failure to properly regulate the stock or to address (rampant) illegal fishing. The EU will have to be proactive moving forward because the illegal fishing trade in the Mediterranean is a substantial problem. That said, when's the last time anyone remembers Japan refusing to purchase illegal fish or doing anything to monitor that trade? BBC:
The bloc has agreed to back a motion for a ban during next week's meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The US has already given its support, but Japan - where most bluefin is eaten - may opt out of CITES controls.
The EU is backing exemptions for traditional fishers, and deferring the ban for a year.
