EU agrees to bluefin tuna protections

LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- European Union ministers have agreed to reduced quotas for threatened bluefin tuna stocks, along with a shortened fishing season and more controls.

The ministers, who ruled out a complete ban, are expected to press for greater protection for the tuna at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas meeting in Morocco next month, the EU Observer newspaper reported Tuesday.

Greenpeace has called for a suspension of the bluefin fishery because of alleged illegal fishing practices by France, Italy and Spain.

"The ministers of France, Italy and Spain have shown they are incapable of keeping illegal fishing for bluefin tuna under control," said Saskia Richartz, Greenpeace EU oceans policy director. "Only a suspension of fishing can bring the bluefin tuna back from the brink of collapse."