Bluefin tuna (BFT) commercial fishery within UK waters
Bluefin tuna (BFT) commercial fishery within UK waters.
What is prohibited
Commercial targeting of bluefin tuna (BFT) is prohibited unless your fishing licence is specifically authorised for the commercial BFT fishery.
BFT should be released alive and unharmed wherever possible. Logbook vessels must record all discards.
If a BFT cannot be returned alive, UK vessels must:
- record all BFT bycatch
- land and report all dead BFT at or above MCRS
- discard and record all dead BFT below MCRS
Minimum conservation reference size (MCRS):
For BFT caught in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean.
- 30 kg, or
- 115 cm fork length
Permitted BFT fishery via licence authorisation
- The UK has an annual 230.56 tonnes of BFT quota for 2026–2028.
- 120 tonnes will support the 2026 commercial fishery using low impact rod and reel gear.
- The MMO will run the UK‑wide application process; authorisations will be issued by the relevant fisheries administration.
- Up to 30 vessels will be authorised, each receiving 4 tonnes.
- The fishery is scheduled for mid‑July to 31 December 2026.
- The TAC cycle will be reviewed annually, with the intention to expand the fishery gradually.
- Fishing for BFT is restricted to UK waters but not permitted in Northern Irish waters in 2026.
- Crown Dependency vessels may apply if they hold a UK vessel licence.
- All BFT landed be accompanied with an ICCAT Electronic Bluefin Tuna Catch Document (eBCD).
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- hold a valid UK commercial fishing licence
- apply for a vessel 12 metres and under
- agree all trips will be under 24 hours
- use rod and reel only (no chumming)
- record all catches and complete ICCAT eBCD documentation
- land catches in UK designated ports
How to apply (2026 commercial BFT fishery)
- The application window will open early April.
- Applicants must apply — there is no rollover from previous years.
- Applications submitted outside this window will not be considered.
- One application per vessel (no group or multi‑vessel applications).
- Applicants must provide vessel, owner, nominee details, and information on:
- how they will support an environmentally sustainable fishery
- potential economic and social benefits to the UK
A link to the application form will appear on this page from early April.
By applying, you agree the MMO may retain your information until the end of the 2026 season.
If you need assistance or a PDF/paper version, contact BFT.Commercial@marinemanagement.org.uk before the deadline.
Next steps after you apply
- Applicants will be notified of outcomes in mid‑May 2026.
- Successful applicants have 5 working days to accept.
- Failure to accept may result in the authorisation being offered to the reserve list.
Important:
- An application submission does not guarantee an authorisation.
- You must not fish for BFT without an authorisation issued by your fisheries administration.
Authorisations are:
- non‑transferable
- valid for 2026 only
- not a track record or a guarantee to future quota
You may not begin fishing until all conditions are met:
- Vessel details appear on ICCAT register + 15 days have passed.
- You have registered for ICCAT eBCD.
- You have completed eBCD training and submitted test data if required.
- You have received the authorisation letter.
- The season start date has begun.
Authorisation restrictions:
- You cannot hold more than one BFT authorisation/permit for the same vessel in a season.
- If successful in the commercial process, you cannot hold:
- a 2026 commercial BFT authorisation for the same vessel, and
- a CRRF recreational permit for the same vessel.
- If you become successful for both fisheries, you must choose one.
- MMO and Defra may consider previous infringements in assessments.
Fishing conditions for authorised vessels
You must:
- comply with all conditions in your domestic fishing licence and BFT authorisation
- must use their authorisation and the quota issued.
- fish only within the UK EEZ, excluding Northern Irish waters
- ensure trips last under 24 hours
- use rod and reel only, with no chumming
- not undertake scientific tagging without an authorisation from you fisheries administration
- record all catches in your logbook
- report all catches to UKFMC or UKSLO
- land in a UK designated port
- complete eBCD documentation for all landings
Non‑compliance may result in suspension or removal of authorisation.
Authorisation restrictions:
- You cannot hold more than one BFT authorisation/permit for the same vessel in a season.
- If successful in the commercial process, you cannot hold:
- a 2026 commercial BFT authorisation for the same vessel, and
- a CRRF recreational permit for the same vessel.
- If you become successful for both fisheries, you must choose one.
- MMO and Defra may consider previous infringements in assessments.
Key dates (2026 season)
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Application window | Early April |
| Application decisions issued | Mid-May |
| ICCAT registration & eBCD training | Late May – Mid-June |
| Commercial BFT authorisations issued | Late June |
| 2026 BFT fishery | 13 July – 31 December |
Landing dead BFT and reporting
- Dead BFT must be landed at a UK designated port.
- Traders must be:
- an authorised registered tuna trader, and
- a Registered Buyer of First Sale Fish (RBS) if buying direct from vessels.
- Traders must check that all BFT have a completed and validated eBCD.
- Once validated, confirmation will be issued by email or phone.
Recording requirements:
- England and Wales, under 10m → submit via Catch App
- Scotland 10–12m → record in paper logbook
- Scotland under 10m → record in weekly FISH1
Notifications before landing dead BFT
All UK vessels must report dead BFT at least 4 hours before landing.
If this is not possible, report as soon as reasonably possible.
You may not land without prior authorisation from MMO UKSLO or the UKFMC.
Who to contact:
- 08:00–17:00 (Mon–Fri, excl. bank holidays):
UKSLO — 0330 041 6585 - ukiuuslo@marinemanagement.org.uk - 17:00–08:00 (Mon–Fri), weekends, bank holidays:
UKFMC — 0131 244 2286 - UKFMC@gov.scot
Information required:
- total BFT weight
- number caught
- vessel and licence details
- designated landing port
- trader details (if selling)
Landing or selling BFT without a validated eBCD is prohibited.
Contacts
Applications and general enquiries
BFT.Commercial@marinemanagement.org.uk
UK Single Liaison Office (UKSLO) — reporting (daytime), including eBCD queries.
0330 041 6585
ukiuuslo@marinemanagement.org.uk
UK Fisheries Monitoring Centre (UKFMC) — reporting (out of hours)
0131 244 2286
UKFMC@gov.scot
Updates to this page
-
Update 13 May 2025
-
Updated 2025
-
04 June 2024 update.
-
Tuesday 07 May 2024 update,
-
29 April 2024 update.
-
RBS registered amend
-
First published.