The MMO has confirmed that no decisions on 2025 commercial bluefin tuna licences have yet been
made, despite considerable speculation about the geographical spread of licence allocations, and many people already expressing disappointment with the process and anticipated outcome.
It is expected that applicants will be contacted within the next two weeks about decisions ahead of a season that starts on 1 July. In 2024, when 13 licences were issued, 104 applications were received, with that number expected to have increased for 2025, both in number and in geographical scope, as bluefin continue to expand their presence in UK waters.
Inevitably, given the interest in the commercial fishery, and growing market awareness of the availability and quality of fresh, line-caught bluefin, there will be many disappointed applicants for every licence issued. Just 15 are available for the 2025 season, with an individual quota of 3t per vessel.
At an average price of £12 a kilo liveweight, that equates to a potential gross income per boat of £36,000 – not a fortune after the considerable costs of gearing up for the fishery are taken into account, but a very welcome addition to annual grossings that also allows some respite to other fisheries.
Meanwhile, the MMO has restarted the application process for catch and release licences, with all current applications cancelled. A number of commercial fishing vessels that are also licensed for charter angling were understood to have made early applications alongside applications for commercial licences, which was encouraged by the MMO, with the catch and release charter option a fallback for many commercial skippers.
The rapid expansion of the charter angling fishery to potentially 140 licences for 2025, coupled with a relaxation of the very strict conditions that were attached to the initial catch and release fishery, has generated a lot of controversy.
The MMO confirmed last week that it had tightened the training criteria for catch and release applicants, and now requires a new application process as a result. The deadline for applications has been extended until 2 June. Full details of the new guidelines, and online application forms, are available at: gov.uk
A meeting in Newlyn on 19 May, convened by Fishing News and chaired by local MP Andrew George, aims to develop a consensus between the different groups about maximising the benefits from the bluefin fishery, whilst also minimising potential post-release mortality. Fisheries minister Daniel Zeichner acknowledged the meeting during a recent Westminster debate, telling Andrew George that he will be looking carefully at any outcomes.
The Angling Trust, representing the views of many catch and release fishermen, welcomed the MMO announcement, saying: “We believe the MMO should temporarily pause applicants to provide clearer guidance on the criteria and eligibility to avoid any further confusion.
“We continue to advocate for a recreational bluefin tuna fishery that is world-class, high-welfare and maximises its economic value to coastal communities and our sector.”
The trust has requested an approach from the MMO/Defra that in many ways echoes what commercial boats have been asking for, including promoting best-practice fish care and handling, awarding multi-year licences to give vessel owners the security to invest fully in the fishery, improved, mandatory training, and a zero-tolerance approach to policing the fishery.
Fishing News bluefin open meeting next week
Fishing News is now able to confirm details for the open meeting to discuss the criteria for bluefin tuna licensing. This will take place at The Centre, Chywoone Hill, Newlyn, TR18 5AR (thecentrenewlyn.org) on Monday, 19 May, starting at 9.30am.
The meeting will be chaired by St Ives MP Andrew George. Attendance is free, and there will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions of
the panellists speaking at the event. If you plan to attend, it would be helpful if you could email: andy.read@kelsey.co.uk or WhatsApp: +44 77 4141 3966 to help us make appropriate arrangements.
Panellists will include representatives of the catch and release and commercial tuna fishing sectors, with additional input from Cefas, an independent fisheries scientist and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.50 here.
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