Bluefin tuna makes huge comeback: What's the secret? | BBC News

Conservation successes

The report highlights the return of bluefin tuna to UK waters as an example of conservation working. Once rarely seen, tuna now arrive in large numbers off Cornwall each late summer and autumn.

Their recovery is linked to reduced commercial catches, protection of spawning grounds, and consumers and retailers turning away from bluefin. Local anglers take part in a mandatory catch-and-release fishery, which advocates say has little impact and can build support for protecting the fish.

Other reported successes include:

• A rise in wild tiger numbers since 2010
• The green sea turtle’s reclassification from endangered to least concern
• Signs that southern African elephant numbers are recovering

The report argues that these gains came from clear goals and collaboration among governments, communities, conservation groups, and others.

The wider picture

These successes are exceptions. WWF’s monitoring of nearly 36,000 wildlife populations found an average decline of about 73% since 1970.

Speakers warn that habitat loss and extinctions are continuing, with extinctions estimated to be at least 100 times the natural rate. WWF also says that far more money supports activities harmful to nature than is spent protecting it.

The report’s message is that recovery is possible, but the opportunity to act is narrowing.

Presenters and contributors

• Mike Barrett, WWF
• Katie (surname not given in the subtitles)
• Other speakers, including conservation and fishing representatives, are not named in the subtitles.