Britain’s fisheries minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said that he would boycott the high-end Nobu restaurant group because it continues to serve endangered bluefin tuna. Last week, the UK joined France in proposing to ban the species from international trade, since much of the Atlantic and Mediterranean catch ends up in Japan.
Irranca-Davies urged Nobu to heed scientific evidence that the species was in peril from overfishing and said he would boycott the £80 ($131)-a-head chain while it was on the menu.
As a result of fierce criticism, Nobu has put symbols next to bluefin dishes at its restaurants in London (but not elsewhere) advising diners that the fish is “environmentally challenged”, adding: “Please ask your server for an alternative.” But it has so far resisted pressure to halt sales of the delicacy.
This is an interesting twist in a conservation issue, since laws do not prevent Nobu — or any other restaurant — from serving the fish. Bluefin tuna is down as much as 90% from peak levels and World Wildlife Fund has estimated breeding age tuna would be fished out of the Atlantic by 2012.
“There is regulated trade in this species but, while I have a responsibility as a minister in trying to protect this species for years to come, similarly suppliers and restaurateurs have their individual responsibility as well,” said Mr Irranca-Davies, a minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.