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There is a lot of chatter that it's not possible to enforce this ban, but isn't acknowledging that we need a ban at least a giant step in the right direction? 

Sushi lovers may have to find another favourite fish dish after plans for a worldwide ban on bluefin tuna fishing were backed by the European Commission yesterday.

The bluefin is a highly prized delicacy, particularly in Japan, where one specimen can fetch £60,000, but spiralling demand has led to the near exhaustion of stocks, resulting in moves to place it on a list of the world’s most endangered species.

European ministers will make a decision on the issue this year, but are expected to back calls for the fish to be fully protected for two years to allow stocks to recover. A final decision on a ban will be made by ministers after a survey of stocks in November under a compromise agreement between the environment and fisheries departments of the European Commission.

“This decision marks an important step in the protection of Atlantic bluefin tuna,” said Stavros Dimas, the Environment Commissioner. “We must act on the best scientific evidence available to us — and scientists say that urgent action is needed to safeguard the future of one of the ocean’s most emblematic creatures.”