Article Summary:

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has announced plans to send two boats to the Mediterranean to combat bluefin tuna poaching.

Bluefin tuna came briefly to international attention two weeks ago when a single fish fetched close to $180,000 at a Japanese auction. The IUCN lists the fish as critically endangered. Although simplified, bluefin tuna is commonly known at sushi restaurants as toro or maguro.

Sea Shepherd, widely known for the Animal Planet TV series Whale Wars, hopes to bring the plight of bluefin tuna to international attention. A discussion is already underway in the forums.