World News for Students of English

06-10-2025 07:00

Two decades ago, Europe’s bluefin tuna was close to collapse due to overfishing driven by the global sushi market.

Industrial fleets operated with little oversight, and illegal catches were widespread. Scientists warned of the crisis, and activists demanded urgent action.

In 2007, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) introduced a strict recovery plan, supported by the European Union. It included quotas, smaller fleets, shorter fishing seasons, and international inspections. This reduced catches dramatically, allowing tuna stocks to recover faster than expected. Today, fishing is tightly controlled. In France, every tuna must be weighed, labelled, and tracked. Fisher cooperatives support the system because it ensures long-term sustainability.

Scientists continue to monitor populations through tagging and aerial surveys, which have shown remarkable growth in tuna schools. However, experts warn that illegal fishing could return. The recovery is strong, but its future depends on strict control and continued cooperation between scientists, industry, and governments.

Difficult words: fleet (a group of ships, usually used for fishing, the navy, or transport), oversight (careful control), quota (fixed amount allowed).

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