Bluefin tuna (BFT) fisheries in 2025
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-08)

Applications and guidance for the 2025 Bluefin tuna (BFT) commercial and recreational fisheries is now available.

Commercial Bluefin tuna 2025

Update: Commercial bluefin tuna fishing 2025

A panel chaired by MMO has now completed assessment of the 132 commercial fishing applications for 15 licence authorisations to fish for 45 tonnes of eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna in English and Scottish waters this year.

All applicants have been emailed to let them know the outcome of their applications ahead of the fishery opening on 1 July and closing 31 December 2025. Unfortunately, MMO is unable to provide detailed feedback on a case-by-case basis due to the number of applications received.

Successful applicants will need to respond to the MMO email to accept and complete mandatory training prior to licence authorisations being granted.

The UK has a quota allocation of 66.15 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.

The application period was open from 20 March to 21 April 2025.

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.
Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be considered. For further information and to apply please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluefin-tuna-bft-commercial-fishery-within-uk-waters.

Recreational Bluefin tuna 2025

Update: Recreational bluefin tuna fishing 2025

Defra, MMO and sector representatives are working together to develop and introduce mandatory training as soon as possible. At this time, we are unable to confirm what training will be required going forward but we will publish details as soon as possible.

A guide explaining how the 2025 catch and release recreational fishery was developed and managed, including the safeguards that are in place to support this year’s fishery is available here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bluefin-tuna-catch-release-recreational-fishery-crrf-guidance/safeguards-procedures).

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will open a permitted BFT catch and release recreational fishery (CRRF) in 2025 within English waters.

The authorised fishery is scheduled to open from mid-July and will run until the end of November 2025.

You will need to apply for a permit from the MMO to join this fishery.

The application process closed on Monday 2 June.

MMO reviewed the applications received and offered permits to approximately 140 permitted vessels to operate in the BFT CRRF in English waters.

Further information about the application process, the 2025 CRRF fishery rules and timelines are available here. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plans-for-the-2025-bluefin-tuna-bft-catch-and-release-recreational-fisheries-crrf-within-uk-waters)

Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF) 2024

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF) Statistics 2024. You can find more information on the statistics here. (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/bluefin-tuna-catch-and-release-recreational-fishery-crrf-2024)