Bluefin tuna: commercial-scientific trial fishery

To support the development of a sustainable UK wide commercial bluefin tuna fishery, we are undertaking a commercial-scientific trial. We are working in partnership with the UK Fisheries Administrations and Crown Dependencies. 

This trial:

• is separate from the UK commercial fishery
• is different from the recreational fishery in Wales and England
• will operate using a separate portion of the UK's 2026 bluefin tuna quota
• does not affect licence authorisations or permits issued for those fisheries, and 
• will not reduce the quota allocated to those fisheries

Participants are required to contribute significant additional data. They will:

•  have less quota than those who have been issued a licence authorisation for the UK commercial fishery
• will be authorised to target bluefin tuna in specified areas of the Welsh zone only

To be eligible to apply applicants must: 

• hold a valid UK commercial fishing licence
• not already hold a licence authorisation or recreational permit for bluefin tuna
• apply for a vessel 12 metres or under
• agree all trips will be under 24 hours

Successful applicants will need to: 

• use rod and reel only (no chumming)
• record all catches and complete ICCAT eBCD documentation
• land catches in Welsh designated ports (Milford Haven and Holyhead)
• cooperate with any evaluation of the trial 
• agree to undertake any training required before fishing begins
• provide all and any information requested in relation to fishing activities. This could include: 
  • date and location of each capture
  • date and location of capture for all released undersized fish
  • date and location of any lost catch 
  • fight times and biological condition 
  • gear fish caught on
  • fish length and weight
  • landing port
  • sale information
  • number of employed crew members
  • any bycatch
  • prevailing weather conditions
  • hours fished and where (even if no fish caught)
  • sightings of BFT

The application window for Expressions of Interest closed on the 30 August.

We have selected the following vessels to take part in the 2026 commercial-scientific trial fishery:

• Vagabond M98
• Korey Jo M122
• Laura May M411
• Emily Jayne M45
• Safia Rose M53