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Media Advisory, March 31, 2011

Contact: Rob Mrowka, (702) 249-5821 or rmrowka@biologicaldiversity.org

National Campaign to Boycott Endangered Bluefin Tuna Coming to Las Vegas Sushi Restaurants

What: The Center for Biological Diversity’s nationwide campaign to stop consumers from eating endangered bluefin tuna is sending a “bluefin brigade” to visit sushi restaurants in Las Vegas with the message “Boycott eating and serving bluefin tuna.”

When:  Monday, April 4, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where: Meet at 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Palazzo, Las Vegas Strip (look for the group with the bluefin boycott logo and blue hats; we won't be hard to spot) at 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, or contact Rob Mrowka for addresses of restaurants on the tour.

Photo and Interview Opportunities: Participants, some in costume and with banners, will be available for interviews during the tuna tour, including Center organizers who are leading the boycott and pushing for endangered species protections for the bluefin.

Background: Nearly 30,000 people, including world-renowned chefs such as Alice Waters and Dan Barber, have signed the Center’s pledge to boycott eating and serving bluefin tuna. Now the Center’s “Bluefin Brigade” is taking this campaign to the next level with a tuna tour of Las Vegas. The Brigade will visit restaurants that do and don't serve bluefin. They’ll be thanking restaurants that have signed the pledge and asking those that still serve bluefin to join us.

Although bluefin tuna have declined dramatically in recent decades, they remain a high-priced staple in some sushi restaurants. A single bluefin tuna recently sold for almost $400,000. Such high prices encourage illegal fishing and overharvesting of bluefin, a fish that can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 1,200 pounds.

On top of being tragically overfished, the bluefin took another hit last year when BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster spilled millions of gallons of oil in one of its most important spawning areas, the Gulf of Mexico.

In May 2010, the Center petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect Atlantic bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act. A decision is expected later this year.

Learn more about the Center’s Bluefin Boycott.


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