Anglers get green light to fish for bluefin tuna
RECREATIONAL angling for one of the most powerful fish in the sea is to begin again off the Devon and Cornwall coast this autumn.
The Government has given approval a bluefin tuna catch-andrelease programme to monitor the number of fish and increase our understanding of the species. It means a boom for charter angling boats, up to 15 of which will be licensed to take fee-paying anglers out to sea to catch the powerful fish, which can weigh up to 600lb and have a reputation for fighting hard.
A ban on fishing for bluefin has been in place for many years because of fears over declining numbers, but sightings of the fish have increased in Westcountry waters and The Times has reported that accidental catches have been growing in recent years.
Campaigning to allow angling for the fish has been led by the Angling Trust, with the support of charter boat operators, local authorities and Westcountry
MPs as well as the scientific community.
The Angling Trust reports on its website: “A science-based recreational bluefin tuna fishery has been given the green light by Defra. This news, welcomed by anglers, was secured by Bluefin Tuna UK, with the support of the Angling Trust.”
Although scientific research is the justification for allowing the fish to be targeted, the commercial benefits to Westcountry ports where charter boats operate will be significant.
Steve Murphy, of Bluefin Tuna, UK said: “This is a great result. After years of painstaking work, we have opened up an opportunity, not only to support work to increase our understanding of bluefin, but to show the enormous economic opportunity a recreational bluefin fishery can bring to coastal communities.”
Recreational anglers have long argued that the money spent by people who go fishing for pleasure is insufficiently understood by those who manage our fisheries. Accommodation, food and drink, fishing tackle sales and other services all gain a boost if anglers are encouraged to come and catch challenging marine species, they say.
Politicians from all sides, including Labour’s Plymouth Devonport MP Luke Pollard and St Ives’ Conservative MP Derek Thomas, joined forces earlier this year to press for the relaxation of the ban on angling for bluefin tuna. Mr Thomas said: “It could be a real tourism boost for Cornwall and Devon. I know plenty of charter boat operators in Penzance and St Ives, in particular, that would welcome this chance to trial this science-led project here in the Westcountry.”
Under the terms of Defra’s permission, it is understood no fish would be landed, but would be tagged and returned to the sea. However, not everyone is happy about these once threatened fish again being targeted for recreational purposes.
Matt Slater, fisheries officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, pointed out the risks of even catch-and-release fishing and said the charity does not think it is a good idea. When the plans to reopen the fishery were first seriously discussed early this year, he said the Trust did not approve, warning that putting a large hook into a bluefin tuna’s mouth and then hauling it out of the sea could cause injury and distress.
“It’s going to result in potential for injury. Scientists say the success rates have been great, but a more open fishery with less experienced people might change that,” he said. “You can release a fish which looks quite healthy, but there are longterm effects. They’re fragile animals and you’re tiring it out.”