Japan leads the world in catches and consumption of the fish. As of Monday, the Japanese bluefin catch had reached 99.7% of the agreed-on quota for the 12 months ending in June, making it only a matter of time -- possibly within the next two weeks -- until the commitment is broken.
Bluefin tuna, a popular choice for sushi and other dishes, is in worrisome decline. By one estimate, natural stocks of the adult fish have fallen to just 2.6% of the level before large-scale fishing began.
