UK’s growing bluefin tuna fishery opens for 2026
The bluefin tuna (BFT) fishing season opens next week in parts of the UK, giving authorised commercial and permitted recreational fishers the opportunity to fish for BFT.
From Monday 13 July:
- authorised UK commercial vessels can target BFT in English, Welsh and Scottish waters.
- permitted recreational catch and release vessels, administered by MMO, can fish for BFT within English waters.
The opportunities for commercial fishermen to land BFT for sale, and for recreational anglers to catch and release the fish, have increased significantly this year following successful negotiations to boost the UK’s quota for the species.
The start of the season is the culmination of joint work by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Defra, CEFAS and key stakeholders Angling Trust in managing this emerging recreational fishery
MMO have co-ordinated similar joint working with stakeholders on the commercial fishery.
Andy Wills, MMO’s interim Head of Future Fisheries, said: “The start of this year’s bluefin tuna season is an important milestone in the development of this emerging fishery as it features more quota and more permits than ever before.
“Both programmes are growing in a managed way, ensuring the UK is able to meet its international commitments, contribute to delivering Fisheries Act 2020 objectives, and reflect stakeholder interests in both the commercial and recreational sectors.
“Collaboration between MMO, Defra and stakeholders from a range of sectors has been crucial in getting us to this point
“The welfare of these fish is paramount for us, so the requirement for training for catch and release permit holders this year is a welcome extra assurance - alongside the robust reporting requirements both recreational and commercial fishers must adhere to.
“We will continue to work to support commercial and recreational angling sectors to benefit economically from the fishery - while assuring compliance with the safeguards we have put in place on quota limits and legal fishing practices.”
Under the UK application process run by MMO on behalf of Defra 30 commercial vessels have been awarded permits to fish for BFT using rod and line this season. This is twice as many as last year and the quota per vessel has increased from 3 to 4 tonnes.
For a breakdown of the commercial vessels with an authorisation to land BFT see Bluefin tuna (BFT) commercial fishery within UK waters - GOV.UK
Recreational permits were awarded to all 89 charter vessels that applied, according to the application scheme’s stated policy, and the remaining permit offers were awarded by ballot to 56 private vessels.
All charter and private vessels must have a person on board who has passed the BFT catch and release mandatory training run by Angling Trust for each trip they make, to ensure compliance with the fishery’s code of conduct.
For a breakdown of the recreational vessels with a CRRF permit see Bluefin tuna (BFT) catch and release recreational fishery (CRRF) within English waters - GOV.UK
Hannah Rudd, Head of Marine at the Angling Trust, said “The Angling Trust is delighted to see the bluefin tuna recreational catch and release fishery continue to grow, with more permits and participation than ever before.
“Partnership working and the new mandatory training remain central to that expansion, giving participants the skills to handle these incredible fish safely and release them in the best condition.
“We’d urge everyone taking part this season to follow the code of conduct closely, report catches promptly and keep fish welfare front of mind - proving that recreational angling and sustainable fisheries management can go hand in hand whilst delivering social and economic benefits to coastal communities across the country.”