Conservationists, US industry and US Government pushed hard to rebuild north Atlantic swordfish; Thwarted by the European Union and Japan Led by the United States, the international body responsible for swordfish management yesterday took an important step to promote recovery of north Atlantic swordfish by establishing the principle: swordfish populations should be rebuilt within ten years with a greater than 50% chance of success. However, the specific measures adopted (a gradual quota reduction over the next three years) will not necessarily assure recovery within ten years. Initial quotas agreed to at the meeting are higher than those recommended by fisheries scientists, and the lack of agreed-to catch limits in later years makes recovery uncertain. Conservationists, the U.S. government, and the U.S. fishing industry pushed hard to reduce the quota to nearly 10,000 metric tons to ensure recovery within 10 years, but were torpedoed by the European Union and Japan. "The government listened to the Give Swordfish a Break campaign and other conservation groups and stood firm in their commitment on a strong unified US position," said Vikki Spruill, executive director of SeaWeb and co-founder of the campaign. "The bottom line: recovery within ten years remains a goal, not a guarantee. The future of swordfish, and the commitment of ICCAT to achieving full recovery in ten years will be determined by the quotas set at the end of this three year period," said Lisa Speer of NRDC and a co-founder of the Give Swordfish a Break Campaign. "Counting the dead discarded swordfish against the allowable catch is a major improvement in swordfish management. This will reduce the mortality, helping to promote the recovery of swordfish," said Dr. Ellen Pikitch of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The strong action promoted by the US, Canada, and supported by Brazil, Venezuela, South Africa, and the U.K. overseas territories advances swordfish conservation. "The U.S. contingent pushed hard for stricter measures to be adopted now, rather than take a wait and see approach. Unfortunately, the European Union and Japan, powerful players in ICCAT, did not have the same commitment to well-managed fisheries," said David Wilmot, executive director, Living Oceans Program, National Audubon Society. "U.S. conservation groups, as well as NGOs worldwide, must remain vigilant to ensure that ICCAT follows through on its agreement in principle." Action now turns to the domestic front where the United States can take action to protect baby swordfish within its own waters. A new draft rule for protecting swordfish "nursery areas" in the Atlantic is expected to be issued by the government within a few weeks. "It is now crucial that the government propose strong measures to protect juvenile swordfish in U.S. waters," said Sarah Chasis, senior attorney at NRDC. "Strong protections for nursery areas will increase the likelihood that swordfish will recover promptly. The Give Swordfish a Break campaign commends the chefs who have worked for two years to pressure the U.S. government to support an adequate recovery plan. Unfortunately given that the plan adopted yesterday does not guarantee swordfish recovery, and given that the U.S. has yet to adopt measures to protect baby swordfish, the campaign cannot recommend that consumers eat north Atlantic swordfish. "Clearly the chefs efforts helped to convince our government to support stronger measures. Next time, we hope more countries will stand with the U.S. In the meantime, we thank the chefs, consumers and all the campaign supporters for their hard work. It was a job well done," said Spruill.   Contact: Charles Longer, 202-822-5200