Bluefin tuna can only be legally targeted in UK waters under a special permit for catch-and-release, targeting them without authorisation is prohibited.

Bluefin Tuna Regulations (UK Recreational Angling)

Legal Status & Permit Scheme

Targeting Bluefin Tuna:

• Strictly prohibited unless you hold a permit issued by the MMO.

• No recreational or commercial angler may target bluefin tuna without a  permit.

• Accidental bycatch must be released immediately and unharmed. If you are familiar with how to ‘recover’ a bluefin tuna it is advisable to do so.

Permit Overview:

• Limited number of permits issued annually.

• Only permitted skippers and vessels can participate.

• Anglers onboard permitted private or charter boats may catch tuna under strict rules, including:

  • Catch and release only

  • No removal of the fish from the water

Permits are issued annually by the MMO (Marine Management Organisation). Application is competitive and the criteria for application changes annually in this relatively new fishery.

Important Legal Points for Recreational Anglers

• Targeting bluefin tuna, even with the intention of releasing , is illegal without a permit.

• The targeting of bluefin tuna without a permit is charged as a criminal offence.

Best Practices if Encountering Tuna While Fishing

• Do not pursue visible tuna shoals if you are not a permit holder.

• If hooked accidentally (e.g. fishing for another species):

  • Use heavy gear to reduce fight time.

  • Keep the fish in the water at all times.

  • Remove the hook quickly and release, unless familiar with how to recover a bluefin tuna, then follow the recovery process.

  • Avoid posting to social media, as this can imply or encourage deliberate targeting.

Background and Conservation Context

Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and their usual food sources were historically overfished but are showing signs of recovery in UK waters due to international conservation efforts. The UK’s approach focuses on strictly controlled access, to avoid jeopardising stock recovery.

The UK currently allows a limited commercial harvest fishery for bluefin tuna.