Bluefin Tuna Research Funding Slashed

by Fishermen’s Voice Staff

Independent marine research scientists who have unlocked the mysteries of highly migratory species, including Atlantic giant blue fin tuna and sea turtles, over the last twenty years are facing a dead end. Funding for scientific research on bluefin tuna and othe rhighly migratory species has not been renewed by Congress. The entire NOAA budget for bluefin is $600,000 and that is being divided among 5 to 7 projects. None of the programs in place will be funded again.

It will be the end of nearly 20 years of important research including the development of bio-markers, tagging programs, east and west Atlantic stock mixing studies, tuna reproductive research and many other projects that have unlocked some of the mysteries of one of the oceans most highly migratory and majestic fish.

New England researchers dependon grants and contracts, they receive no salaries. Even researchers associated with leading research institutions like the University of Massachusetts at Amherst receive no salaries from these institutions.

Some of the world’s most expert highly migratory research scientists are in the United States and depend on Congress for funding. Regrettably, said internationally recognized highly migratory species scientist Molly Lutcavage said, “we lack leadership in Congress. Many of the Congressional supporters of highly migratory research, including Senator Olympia Snowe, are retiring. Replacing them are freshmen Congressmen.” Lutcavage is the Director of the University of Massachusetts’ Large Pelagics Research Center at Marine Science Station in Gloucester, MA.

Without financial support research will end. The Atlantic blue fin tuna will be threatened without the best independent science from committed, experienced experts. “All stakeholders will lose – scientists, advocates and fishermen”, said Lutcavage. She said the two most important results of the congressional shortfall are first the loss of independent scientific research. Second, there will be no external scientific committee or counsel in the western Atlantic for highly migratory species. Decisions will be left to the discretion of ICCAT and NOAA or to people with deep pockets who have will influence fisheries most. “We need independent scientists most,” said Lutcavage.