Strong catch of tuna in Canada

CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A proposal to list bluefin tuna as an endangered species puzzles some Canadian fishermen who say they see signs of abundance in the start of the fishing season.

They landed 144 tuna in the first eight hours of fishing Monday off Prince Edward Island and officials expect the remainder of the quota to be caught Tuesday, meaning Island fishermen will catch their quota in just two days, Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

With catches are so good, many fishermen in the province say they don't think scientists from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should be reviewing listing bluefin as an endangered species.

"I don't think they have any grounds right here because of the proof of the abundance of tuna in Canada now," Ross Keus said.

"I think it's as strong, if not stronger, than ever."

But just because the stocks are strong off Prince Edward Island doesn't mean they are everywhere, a fisheries official said.

"Although we see lots of evidence that the species is abundant in our waters, there might be other particulars that are going on in other parts of the world that we're not quite aware of," said Colin MacIsaac, provincial resource manager for DFO.

The international body that oversees bluefin tuna fishing will release its latest assessment of global stocks next week, the CBC said.