Historic Mediterranean Spawning Grounds

back in April 2009 joyous new fishing season opens
today in historic Mediterranean spawning grounds
catch “king of sushi” maritime quick silver gold coins
northern bluefin tuna but beware grim reaper warns

current catch rates means it will die out in three years?
why would EU countries fish to extinction a child says?
bluefin sought after delicacy in luxury Far East markets?
sees ever higher prices being paid for one of the ocean’s

swiftest beautiful glorious water swim speedster predators;
but speeds up to 50 miles per hour in water are prey fleets
caught as rich red meat so desirable is palette Yen sate steaks;
but size of individual fish caught shrinks succeeding seasons

each year conservationists fear that even recent restrictions
imposed by lax European Union will not save enough adults
to keep bluefin stocks sustainable viable to preserve species
its demise is blamed on recent high tech new fishing vessels

vessels that can round up 3,000 bluefin in one go in the 1990s
most fish caught are frozen for air-freighting to Japan prices
depend on the fattiness of flesh with a record set in Tokyo’s
Tsukiji Market $55,700 (£37,400) for a 276kg (608lb) fish wins

a new 2008 sales
record but species
extinction threatens
new rare bid records

poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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