A proposal to ban international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna has been rejected by a UN wildlife meeting. Today’s decision occurred after Japan, Canada and many poor nations opposed the measure on the grounds it would devastate fishing economies.

Countries at the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) in Qatar voted down a proposal from Monaco to grant the fish stronger protection. The plan drew little support, with developing countries joining Japan in opposing a measure they feared would hit fishing economies.

Stocks have fallen by about 85% since the industrial fishing era began. This is a dark day for tune – chicken of the sea.