2026 Bluefin tuna commercial fishery
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has informed applicants of the outcome of the ballot for commercial bluefin tuna authorisations for the 2026 fishery.
MMO received 155 applications for the 30 licence authorisations and applied the assessment process as set out in the guidance to industry.
Isobel Johnston, MMO’s Head of Sustainable Fisheries said:
“As in previous years this fishery has been particularly popular. Whilst the UK has been able to double the number of authorisations available, demand has exceeded available opportunities. We welcome the increased value that the growth of the bluefin tuna fishery brings to fishers and wider coastal communities.
“We do however recognise the disappointment experienced by applicants who did not secure a licence authorisation this year.
“The process was designed to enable a fair distribution of quota in line with Fisheries Act 2020 objectives. The application process was open to applicants with a UK vessel 12 metres or under. All identifying information, including location, was removed from applications before they were assessed by a panel to determine if provided sufficient information to meet the published criteria. Successful applications were allocated a number and entered into the ballot.”
A Defra spokesperson said:
“The Marine Management Organisation administered the bluefin tuna commercial fishery application process on behalf of the UK. Our ambition is to continue to grow this developing sustainable inshore fishery around the UK over the next two years, and we look forward to continuing to work with commercial fishermen, Devolved Governments, and the Crown Dependencies to achieve this. We recognise that there will be disappointment for applicants who were unsuccessful.‘’