Japan, whose unique seafood-eating culture is coming under increasing criticism as fish stocks decline, is facing another challenge as an international wildlife protection body prepares a ban on trading of bluefin tuna, a pricey breed prized in Japan as a sushi and sashimi ingredient.
Alarmed by sharp declines in the population of the species from overfishing, member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species are likely to approve a proposal to ban the import and export of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic at their meeting in Doha, Qatar, starting on Saturday. A number of nations have expressed support for the proposal, making it likely it will win two-thirds of the votes needed to pass at the 175-member body, Government officials say.
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(Source: The Wall Street Journal Online)