PORTLAND, Maine — Federal officials have decided to keep bluefin tuna off the endangered species list.
Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is turning down a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity seeking an endangered status for the giant, highly migratory fish.
NOAA officials were holding a news conference late Friday morning to discuss the decision.
The Arizona-based based Center for Biological Diversity claimed bluefin tuna are facing possible extinction because of overfishing.
But fishermen say the western Atlantic population is being fished at sustainable levels.