Bluefin tuna escapes endangered species list

, Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Federal officials have decided to keep bluefin tuna off the endangered species list.

Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is turning down a petition from the Center For Biological Diversity seeking an endangered status for the giant, highly migratory fish.

NOAA officials were holding a news conference late Friday morning to discuss the decision.

The Arizona-based based Center for Biological Diversity claimed bluefin tuna is facing possible extinction because of overfishing.

But fishermen say the western Atlantic population is being fished at sustainable levels.

(Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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