Tuna conservation body talks about restoring tuna in Atlantic

TOKYO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from about 150 governments and fisheries industry groups of 10 countries and regions gathered here Wednesday to discuss ways to protect the declining tuna stock in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

During the two-day informal meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic tunas, participants are scheduled to exchange ideas on cutting quotas of catch to restrain over-catching and restore the amount of the precious creature in sea.

According to a previously-agreed decision of the international tuna conservation body, its members will reduce the annual catch of tuna in the eastern Atlantic Ocean by 4,000 tons by 2010 on the basis of 29,500 tons in 2007.

However, the cut is still far from the target of 14,500 tons in cut which is regarded as necessary by the body.

Experts have warned in recent years that tuna may disappear if no measures were taken as increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine threatens the stock of tuna.