Bluefin tuna: commercial-scientific trial fishery

We are launching commercial-scientific trials. This is to support the development of a sustainable UK wide commercial bluefin tuna fishery. We are working in partnership with the UK Fisheries Administrations and Crown dependencies.

We are seeking applications from licensed commercial fishermen with vessels 12m or under. We are looking for up to 5 vessels to take part in the trial in 2026. 

These trials:

• are separate from both the UK commercial fishery
• are separate from and recreational fisheries in Wales and England
• do not affect licence authorisations or permits issued for those fisheries
• nor will they reduce the quota allocated to them. The trials will operate using a separate portion of the UK's 2026 bluefin tuna quota 

Participants will be 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 you 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

Contact us at bft@gov.wales for further information, or the ‘expression of interest form’ (EOI).

The closing date to submit an EOI is: 23.59 hrs, on 30 August 2026.