Tuna Dispute between US and Mexico Addressed by WTO

Following Mexico's claim to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of unfair labelling by the US in the ongoing tuna-dolphin dispute, the WTO has partly agreed with the claims, saying that the US has been more trade-restrictive than neccessary but that the rules do not discriminate.

The announcement by the WTO means that the restrictions on the export of tuna from Mexico to the US may be lifted.

Due to claims by the US that Mexico's tuna fishing practices were harming dolphin populations, imports of tuna from Mexico were banned in the US in 1991. Following the ban, Mexico complained to the WTO in October 2008 that the US claims were discriminatory and unnecessary. Mexico stated that US labelling practices discriminated against the country as it has prevented Mexico from being able to label its tuna products 'dolphin-safe', which is required to sell in the US market.

After reviewing the case, the WTO concluded that the US 'dolphin-safe' labelling is fair and is in compliance with Annex 1.1 of the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement, therefore rejecting Mexico's claim.

However, in respect to Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement, the WTO found that the US is being more restrictive than necessary towards Mexico with respect to the objectives of informing consumers and protecting dolphins.

In Chile, the national director of Sernapesca has said there is a favourable outlook for aquaculture development in the north of the country, highlighting good prospects for the future of dorado (dolphin fish) farming.

And finally, some good news on the recovery of the Atlantic cod population: after decades of poor prospects for what was once one of the world's major fisheries, cod numbers are showing signs of recovery on the Grand Banks off the Newfoundland coast of Canada.

The Atlantic cod population on the Grand Banks is showing early signs of improvement, according to a report by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization’s scientific council. However, WWF is warning fisheries managers not to rush to re-open the cod fishery, which has been under a moratorium since 1994.