Australia has refused to join the US and European Union in seeking a trade ban on imperilled northern bluefin tuna.

The fish's plight is seen as a key example of poor global fisheries management, and its fate sets a potential precedent for Australian tuna fisheries.

Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett's favouring of trade controls instead of the ban has angered conservation groups, but Australian tuna fishers call it sensible.

Listed as critically endangered, the northern or Atlantic bluefin has lost about three-quarters of its original stock from illegal or unregulated fishing for the sashimi trade.

The appendix one listing, supported by the Obama administration and the EU, would prohibit international trade. It is strongly opposed by Japan and would need a two-thirds majority to be approved.

At a meeting starting today in Doha, Australia will argue for a lesser listing that provides instead for more tightly managed trade of the fish.

''Australia strongly believes that firm and effective fisheries management, including through international fora, offers the best means to secure populations of this species of tuna across the globe,'' Mr Garrett said.