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TOKYO : Japan is fighting a proposed ban on trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna.
The fish, commonly served as sashimi the world over, is at the centre of an international environmental debate.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is meeting in Doha, where the issue will be put to a vote later this month.
Japan consumes about 75 per cent of the world's blue fin tuna.
Known as "toro" in Japanese, it is usually served as sushi and sashimi.
Over the years, demand for Japan cuisine has become more popular around the world, further driving up demand for the fish.
Dwindling stocks have pushed environmentalists to call for a ban on trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Monaco leads the charge for the fish to be listed as a highly endangered species.
That would put bluefin tuna in the same rank as giant pandas and gorillas, which also come under Appendix 1 of CITES.
Shinsuke Sugiyama, Ambassador for Global Issues, said: "In this hiatus, it is basically designed not to talk about this. This is something for preservation of endangered species like coelacanth, gorilla, giant panda, sea turtle."
Japan's famous Tsukiji fish market is bracing for a possible tuna trade ban.
The auctions that take place here depend on how 150 countries meeting in Doha will vote.
The motion to ban trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna ban will require a two-thirds majority to pass.
It already has the backing of the United States and European Union, while Japan is counting on the support of China, South Korea and possibly Australia to overturn the proposal.
Mr Sugiyama said: "I cannot be optimistic...The fact of life shows that the Europeans joined by the Americans and some others might be arguing very strongly...Of course we do not think we can buy their arguments. We have scientific ground. We have a legal basis. We have some good reasons why we are maintaining this. "
It is believed that 150 countries have participated in the conference. Japan is supported over 50 countries to vote against trade ban.
But Japan has a stockpile of bluefin tuna. What officials worry about most is that this can serve as a precedent to expand the ban of other types of tuna. - CNA/ms
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