Bluefish tuna, which can weigh up to 600 kg, are highly valued by Sushi lovers in Japan, and can fetch up to $100,000 each. The species is classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The European Commission announced the ban after this season's quota was reached. Last year, the EU exceed its catch quota by 25%, sparking fears that the fish could die out altogether.
Fishermen from France, Greece, Italy and Cyprus have protested against the ban.
The ban will come into effect in Spain seven days later, due to higher stocks off the country's coast, the European Commission said.
Under the EU's 15-year plan to restore declining stocks of bluefin tuna, fishing quotas are to be cut by 10% from this year, and catching of fish weighing less than 30 kg (66 lbs) is to be banned. The restrictions are expected to be further tightened in the future.
