The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) recently set protection guidelines for the threatened Atlantic sharks, but only agreed on a small cut to the bluefin fishing quota.

Conservationists say the bluefin tuna is threatened by overfishing, and much deeper cuts are needed. For 2011, the quota is set at 12,900 tonnes, down from 13,500 tonnes.

"The actual catch level will be around 11,000, which is a large reduction from current levels," the head of the Japanese delegation, Masanori Miyahara, said, adding that some members had promised not to use up their quotas.

But criticizing the size of the reduction, Sue Lieberman, policy director of the US-based Pew Environment Group, said, "despite sound science to show how threatened these species are... Atlantic bluefin tuna once again were denied the protection they desperately need."

(Source: Sharks protected; status quo for bluefin tuna [Business Week])