Stop Eco-Labeling of Turtle-Deadly Longline Fisheries for Swordfish and Tuna

The Marine Stewardship Council is currently considering certification of  high-bycatch longline tuna and swordfish fleets that operate offshore of Florida in the U. S. Atlantic.  Giving these deadly and wasteful fisheries the seal of sustainability with Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) eco-label would be environmentally irresponsible due to the significant levels of by-catch of endangered and threatened sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds and fish species including bluefin tuna, billfish, rays and shark.

Not only is the fishery deadly to sea turtles, but tuna and swordish is harmful to your health because of mercury contamination. The U.S. FDA warns mothers and children not to eat swordfish and to severely restrict tuna consumption. See www.GotMercury.org

Read our fact sheet about bycatch in the longline tuna and swordfish fisheries proposed for certification.

Photo of loggerhead sea turtle hooked on deck of longline vessel. MarMas/Oceana photo

Take Action Now!  Help stop eco-certification of the Florida longline fishery for swordfish and tuna by taking these actions:

1. Sign the petition below  to Marine Stewardship Council and MRAG Americas by August 10 to oppose the certification. We will submit the petition at the first stakeholder meeting being held on Aug. 11. But we will continue gathering signatures until we stop the certification.

2.  Circulate a hard copy of the petition against MSC certification of the Florida tuna and longline fisheries and return to us so we can send as many signatures as possible to Marine Stewardship Council and  MRAG Americas during the certification process that runs through Spring 2011. Click here to download the hard copy petition.