Plans for the 2025 Bluefin tuna (BFT) catch and release recreational fisheries (CRRF) within UK waters
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-21)

Current legislation (The Sea Fisheries (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024) makes it a criminal offence for any recreational fishing vessel to target BFT in the UK without a permit.

13 October 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.

Friday 27 June 2025 - Key update

The application process has closed. Applicants will be notified by email whether they have been successful or not early next week, the week commencing the 30 June.

If you do not receive an email from the MMO regarding the application process outcome next week (wc 30 June), please enquire at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Home Nations

England

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

The MMO will proceed with the application process that will allow approximately 140 permitted vessels to operate in the BFT CRRF in English waters.

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

The revised key dates for the English 2025 BFT CRRF are:
- 6 May 2025 - BFT CRRF application period opens. (Previously set as 16 April)
- 2 June 2025 - BFT CRRF application period closes. (Previously set as 18 May)
- Applicants will now be notified whether they have been successful or not early next week, the week commencing the 30 June.
- No later than 13 July 2025 - BFT CRRF permits issued to applicants. (Unaffected)
- 18 July 2025 - BFT CRRF permit season opens. (Unaffected)
- 30 November 2025 -BFT CRRF permit season closes. (Unaffected)
Wales

Welsh Government also plan to open their bluefin tuna catch and release recreational fishery in Welsh waters. Further details can be found at the following link: Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery GOV.WALES (https://www.gov.wales/bluefin-tuna-catch-and-release-recreational-fishery)

Jersey

Government of Jersey are proposing to open their bluefin tuna catch and release charter fishery in Jersey waters. For further information, please contact the Government of Jersey’s Marine Resources department on xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Scotland, Northern Ireland and other Crown Dependencies

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey governments are not proposing to open a BFT CRRF in their waters this year.

Joining the 2025 English waters BFT CRRF.

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

The MMO will be responsible for issuing permits for the English BFT CRRF. In 2025, permits will be free of charge, however in future years, charges are likely to be introduced.

Permit numbers will be proportionate to the amount of quota available to cover any incidental BFT mortalities.

Those issued with a BFT CRRF permit MUST comply and report their fishing activity in line with the following legislation: The Sea Fisheries - International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024. (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/655/made#:~:text=These%20Regulations%20put%20in%20place,waters%20of%20the%20Convention%20area.)

How the English waters BFT CRRF permits will be allocated

The BFT CRRF application process, to be considered for a permit, will be open from 6 May until 23:59 on 2 June 2025.

To be eligible for a permit you must meet the following criteria:
- You must not have secured a permit for the UK commercial BFT 2025 fishery. See Bluefin tuna (BFT) commercial fishery within UK waters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluefin-tuna-bft-commercial-fishery-within-uk-waters)
- You must not have secured a permit for another UK BFT CRRF for this 2025 season.
- Your vessel must not be less than 5 metre in overall length and must be powered by an engine/motor.
- You will be asked to submit a recent photograph of your vessel with external registration markings on display in your application.
- You must be the owner of a vessel registered in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Evidence will be required.
- If your vessel is used for charter fishing trips, you must hold a valid Small Commercial Vessel Certificate (SCV2). You will be required to submit evidence of the SCV2.
Incomplete application submissions will not be considered, and all remaining applications will be evaluated once the permit application period has closed (2 June ).

It is expected that the MMO will receive more applications than the number of permits available. Therefore, the MMO will prioritise applications based on the following:

1. Recent, high quality, verifiable, UK experience AND training

Evidenced by either:

a. The applicant (owner of the vessel) who held a permit and reported trips in the 2024 UK BFT CRRF, AND has undertaken recognised training, either through the Cefas UK CHART programme, or the FaSS funded ‘Recreational Angling Training for Bluefin Tuna Permit Holders 2024’ overseen by UKBFTA.

b. Or the applicant who is the owner appointing a named master/skipper to operate the vessel, who has undertaken recognised training either through the Cefas UK CHART programme, or FaSS funded ‘Recreational Angling Training for Bluefin Tuna Permit Holders 2024’ overseen by UKBFTA, AND operated as a master/skipper in the 2025 UK BFT CRRF fishery.

2. Older, high quality, verifiable, UK training

Evidenced by either:

a. The applicant (owner of the vessel) having skippered, owned, or crewed on a vessel that participated in the CHART programme, and undertook recognised training in either Cefas UK CHART training and programme, or the FaSS funded ‘Recreational Angling Training for Bluefin Tuna Permit Holders 2024’ as crew, overseen by UKBFTA.

b. Or the applicant (owner of the vessel) has an assigned master having skippered, owned, or crewed on a vessel that participated in the CHART programme, and undertook recognised training in either the Cefas UK CHART training and programme, or the FaSS funded ‘Recreational Angling Training for Bluefin Tuna Permit Holders 2024’ as crew, overseen by UKBFTA.

3. No verifiable UK training

A minimum of ten permits will be allocated to this priority to ensure that some newer entrants can access the fishery. Newer entrants will be strongly encouraged to undertake training where possible. It is strongly recommended that successful applicants assigned master take part in a recognised training programme before commencing their first BFT fishing trip.

If an applicant does not hold (either as a vessel owner or through their appointed master/skipper) the verifiable UK training of the Cefas UK CHART programme or the FaSS funded training detailed above, the applicant must select category 3.

Please note if the applicant is successful in the application process, the following permit conditions will apply based on their selection.
- Where 1a, 1b, 2a, or 2b is selected, the trained individual (i.e. the vessel owner and/or master/skipper) must be onboard each BFT CRRF fishing trip.
- Where 3 is selected, the appointed and named master/skipper must be onboard each BFT CRRF fishing trip.
As the MMO is unlikely to be able to fulfil permit demand the expectation is that all successful participants MUST use their permit and report all of their BFT catch and release fishing trip activity.

Failure to use the permit and report all activity to the MMO can result in their future BFT applications being rejected. Only apply if you intend to use the permit.

If you are successful in receiving a BFT CRRF permit, but your circumstances change and you can no longer utilise your permit, please contact us at the earliest opportunity and we will look to re-use the permit.

The permit will not be transferable to a different owner, or in respect of a different fishing boat unless in exceptional circumstances agreed by the MMO, for instance significant boat engine failure.

Contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) for more information.

The MMO has the power if needed to vary, suspend, or revoke permits, under the conditions set out in the legislation.

Permit participant terms

As the MMO is unlikely to be able to fulfil permit demand the expectation is that all successful participants MUST use their permit. Failure to use the permit and report all activity to the MMO can result in their future BFT applications being rejected. Only apply if you intend to use the permit.

Where evidence shows non-compliance on the points below, the MMO will consider the removal of the permit issued.

The BFT CRRF permit allows for the named vessel to be used to ‘catch and release’ BFT by rod and line only, for the defined period.

‘Catch and release’ BFT fishing MUST be in English waters only.

The vessel owner and master/skipper are both liable for ensuring that legislative requirements are followed.

The regulation sets out how any caught BFT should be treated, in that BFT MUST NOT be:
- harmed,
- removed from the sea,
- brought aboard a vessel,
- transferred to any other vessel,
- landed.
Regardless of whether a BFT was caught or not, the Vessel Owner MUST ensure that all their BFT ‘catch and release’ trips have been reported to the MMO. See Mandatory reporting rules section below.

Follow the code of conduct guidelines. See BFT Code of Conduct section below.

Mandatory reporting rules

The vessel owner and skipper are legally bound by permit conditions set by the MMO.

Regulation mandates all permit BFT fishing trips carried out in English waters to be reported to the MMO within 24 hours upon return, regardless of whether any BFT were caught or not, otherwise it is deemed an offence. If an event causes you difficulty in reporting your activity within 24hours, it is important that you still comply and submit those records.

As a minimum you must report the following information.
- Date of fishing trip.
- The ICES rectangle of trip activity. (you will be provided instruction on how to identify an ICES rectangle)
- The number of BFT that were caught on the permitted fishing trip.
- The length of each BFT caught.
- The fight time, recovery period provided and status of BFT upon release.
Details on how permit holders are to report their BFT information will be communicated to successful applicants and set out within their permit. Successful applicants are encouraged to attend a short online demonstration of the BFT reporting tool to understand how to deliver on their mandatory BFT reporting requirements, run by the MMO, prior to their permit being issued.

The information generated from the mandatory reporting by the authorised/permitted BFT CRRF fishers will be used to produce anonymised in season and end of season official statistics.

BFT Code of Conduct

All participants in the English waters BFT CRRF are encouraged to undertake training and to adopt the code of conduct, which sets out best practice relating the catching and release of BFT.

The Code of Conduct and associated training materials have been produced collaboratively by the UK Bluefin Tuna Association, the Angling Trust, the Professional Boatman’s Association, Centre of Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Natural England.

CRRF Code of Conduct, Knowledge and Training resource https://ukbfta.co.uk/

Email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

BFT training and experience is likely to be considered in determining eligibility in future seasons. With support from those above and other members of the BFT CRRF Steering group, we are examining how further BFT training providers can be accredited. Further information will follow when available.

Further details on registration under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

To demonstrate that your vessel has been registered in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 you must provide a certificate showing that your vessel has been registered on either part 1, 2 or 3 of the UK ships register (UKSR): https://www.ukshipregister.co.uk/.

The appropriate part of the register depends on the class of the vessel.
- Part 1 or Part 3 registration will be accepted for non-commercial fishing vessels. You will need to check with the UKSR to determine which is suitable for your vessel.
- Part 2 of the register is reserved for commercial fishing vessels (those issued with an MMO licence to sell fish for profit). If you are applying as an owner of commercial fishing vessel you can submit a copy of your existing part 2 registration certificate.
Please note that the MMO will require a photograph of the vessel displaying external registration markings on the hull to allow for identification.

Depending on vessel type you may be required to provide supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee to register your vessel with UKSR. Please allow sufficient time in order for the UKSR registration to be complete.

Applications for UKSR registration and advice can be found here at https://www.ukshipregister.co.uk/registration/.

How we will handle your application information

Your personal information will be handled in accordance with the MMO personal information charter and privacy notice. Personal information charter - Marine Management Organisation (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-management-organisation/about/personal-information-charter#contacting-us)

MMO reserves the right to use your information within your application to verify Catch and Release Tag (CHART) participation with Cefas, and/or verify your attendance in the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) funded Recreational Angling Training for Bluefin Tuna Permit Holders 2024 overseen by UKBFTA.

Catch and Release Tag (CHART) Scientific Data Collection Programme was administered by Cefas. The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) was administered by MMO.

Personal information will only be shared with third parties for social research purposes with the consent of the applicant. Defra social science teams will only contact applicants that provide consent. This will not affect your chances of obtaining a permit.

2025 BFT recreational permit list

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687dfa599b1337e9a7726bef/2025_BFT_Permit_list_-_18072025.pdf)

2025 BFT Permit list (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687dfa599b1337e9a7726bef/2025_BFT_Permit_list_-_18072025.pdf)

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