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The eagerly awaited bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery opened in English waters this month following the issue of 89 permits for catch and release fishing.
The move follows a resurgence of the species in English waters in recent years, enabling UK fisheries administrators to launch permits for recreational angling in their waters.
The new English fishery is expected to bring economic benefits to the recreational fishing industry and coastal communities in the region. Vessel owners are legally required to report BFT fishing trips to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). Data from the fishery will be used to improve monitoring of BFT populations, ensuring they continue to be managed sustainably.
The delivery of this year’s recreational BFT fishery is a result of ongoing collaboration between the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), MMO, Centre for Environment, Fisheries (CEFAS) and other fishing organisations.
A quota of 16 tonnes has been reserved for the recreational fishing industry, while one of 39 tonnes is being used to continue the trial commercial fishery for BFT which opened at the beginning of June and will close in December.
A Government spokesperson said: “The trial will allow us to determine the sustainability of a small scale commercial fishery, and the social and economic benefits this new fishery could potentially provide.”
