19/04/2026
So once again in a bid to champion the Bluefin fishery in to a world class product. I have completed the application for 2026 commercial Bluefin Tuna license.
The fishery is expanding, with this year 30 vessels instead of the 15 of last year. A slow precautionary approach that Defra and the MMO to build a fantastic sustainable fishery is being met with a lot of division from fishermen that just need something to catch.
It’s more anxiety for those of us that have dedicated so much time in to the fishery, both in collecting data programmes and putting together the foundation of the pilot fishery that has helped lead to the commercial.
The uncertainty of being involved and continuing to improve on what we have built is very worrying.
It’s so frustrating to think the uk has 230 tonnes each year for the next 3. This year 120 tonnes of the 230 will be for the commercial. 20 tonnes for the recreational for mortalities and no allocated for the bycatch in other fisheries. But this leaves around 90 tonnes unused.
The 120 tonnes is around 1040 fish at the uk average of 115kg.
Spain has been allocated 7,938 tonnes for 2026. This is an increase of 1,155 tonnes compared to the previous year’s allocation. There average fish size is higher but the number of fish is between 29,000 to 39,000
France’s allocation is in the range of approximately 6,500–7,000+ tonnes (up from around 5,500–6,700 tonnes in recent prior years). Now their average size is very much smaller 35kg so their fish take is massive at 230,000 fish.
The UKs impact is very small on the fishery and I hope in the future we can secure more quota and all be allowed to benefit from the fishery without the worry or the hate.
Keep your fingers crossed for us getting our licence.
