Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin have been pushed to the brink of extinction in the past half century, with stocks declining by more than 60 percent in the last decade alone. Today the Times editorial board praised President Obama for endorsing a ban on international bluefin trade, and urged the administration to "use all of its influence to get the European Union and others to follow." Two-thirds of the members must support the ban for it to pass this month, but Japan, where bluefin is "the crown jewel of sushi," is fighting back. Fisheries minister Masahiko Yamada has vowed to "lodge reservations," and many in Japan think say this is just the latest instance of "Japan-bashing."
Takashi Saito, a Japanese bluefin wholesaler, tells the Washington Post, "I feel that what happened with Okinawa and with Toyota is being extended to the tuna issue as well. It is just Japan-bashing. There is no choice for the Japanese government. We Japanese eat tuna." At least until they're extinct! Here in New York, a study last year found that many sushi restaurants are selling bluefin tuna, but calling it something else.
