Thaindian News

Mar 22 (THAINDIAN NEWS) A sigh of relief was heard all across Japan on Thursday, as the proposed ban on Bluefin tuna was rejected. The reports came on from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Qatar that the export ban on the fish that was under consideration had not went through. Since around three-fourths of the world’s bluefin tuna fish consumption occurs in Japan, this was major news for the sushi and sashimi distributors. The bluefin tuna is most often served raw in Japan. and is the most desired variety of suchi and sashami.

Many people are feeling that it was a direct strike against Japan when the proposal was made. With the recent confrontations of the Sea Shepherd Whalers, the Oscar winning anti-dolphin hunting documentary entitled “The Cove” and even the problems with Toyota recalls. “I do wonder if it’s only whales and tuna that are in danger of dying out – aren’t there other fish, that Japanese people don’t like to eat, in the same situation?” asks Kaori Fukasawa, the mother of two tuna-loving children. “It’s a bit like Toyota’s recent troubles. Haven’t there been similar problems with Chrysler or other US motor companies? They sometimes seemed to be enjoying the chance to get at a Japanese company.”

The Prime Minister of Japan spoke out about the failure of the ban stating, “I think it was a good decision.” The government of Japan has stated that perhaps stricter enforcement of catch quotas set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas would be a better solution.

The chef at Ugogashi feels that the truth has not been told. In his opinion the whole issue is a moot point, since he does not believe there is any danger of the fish becoming extinct. He definitely feels the reports are exaggerated. “I’ve been running this restaurant for 50 years and have heard the same story plenty of times about tuna running out – but it’s never happened,” he stated.