Huge and hungry tuna fish rescued from pen

A rescue operation was mounted to free a huge hungry tuna, estimated to weigh 300kg, after it broke into a fish farming pen in the Outer Hebrides containing hundreds of salmon.

It is believed the Atlantic bluefin tuna had been first attracted to Loch Roag on the Isle of Lewis by its usual main prey – shoals of young mackerel.

Known as the “Ferrari of the seas” the 40mph giant broke through the net and was found by shocked fish farm workers.

In a two-hour operation, the Atlantic bluefin tuna was released back into the wild.

One local said: “It was a complete shock. They estimated the tuna from its length at 300kg ( 661lbs). The workers were just dumbfounded.

“It broke in and ended up trapped. They did a fantastic job getting it out.”

It is believed that the Scottish Salmon Company, which owns the farm, is now installing stronger netting used to repel seals, a more usual threat.

A statement from the company said: “A bluefin tuna was identified inside a pen at our Eughlam site on Loch Roag.

“Our staff removed the tuna, which weighed around 300kg, and safely released it back into the loch.

“A small tear was identified in the net which was made when the tuna entered at speed.

“This was quickly repaired and no fish escaped, the site is now fallow.

“We have reported the incident to Marine Scotland.”

A tuna previously tagged by scientists off the Western Isles was caught more than 1,600 miles away near the Azores.