Fishers with commercial licences who want to apply for an authorisation to fish commercially for bluefin tuna in English waters in 2025 can start the process from 20 March 2025.
Marine Management Organisation (MMO), in support of Defra, has published guidance to support fishers through the application process and explain how the fishery will operate this year.
The UK has a quota allocation of 66 tonnes of bluefin tuna in 2025. From this, 45 tonnes will be used for the commercial fishery.
MMO aim to issue licence authorisations for 15 commercial vessels with three tonnes of quota per vessel. The fishery will be open from 1 July to 31 December 2025.
In summary, to be eligible to apply you must:
- Hold a commercial fishing licence and be registered in either England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
- Apply for a vessel of 12 metres and under in overall length.
- Agree to limit each fishing trip targeting bluefin tuna to no more than 24 hours.
- Agree to use rod and reel fishing gears only. No chumming will be permitted.
- Agree to record all catches of bluefin tuna and submit an Electronic Bluefin Tuna Catch Document (eBCD) record for all landings.
The application period will close on 21 April 2025. Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
