Sarnia fishermen told to leave bluefin tuna alone

Saturday 15 September 2018

Following the landing of a bluefin tuna in Jersey waters, Guernsey's fishermen are being reminded not to target them.

Although there is no suggestion that any have, or have tried to, a case involving a Jersey recreational fishermen has caused a stir over the last week.

The tuna, weighing 102 kilos was caught last weekend. It's believed to be the first ever caught in Jersey waters.

Since then Jersey's Environment Minister has signed an order which will prohibit recreational fishermen from catching bluefin tuna.

The amended Sea Fisheries (Bag Limit) (Jersey) Order 2016 came into force yesterday, Friday 14 September, reducing the bag limit for the species to zero.

The States of Jersey said bluefin tuna are categorised as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and that the IUCN indicated in their stock assessment 2017 that "over-fishing and under-reporting are hindering recovery."

Jersey Deputy John Young said, "Legal measures have been in place for a number of years to protect bluefin tuna from commercial fishing, but the law didn't include recreational fishermen. I felt it necessary to address this in order to protect this endangered species."

Guernsey's Sea Fisheries also issued a statement, clarifying the situation here.

"Sea Fisheries can confirm that Guernsey licenced fishing vessels are not permitted to land bluefin tuna as there is no UK quota for this species. With regards to recreational vessels, Sea Fisheries are currently seeking clarification as to whether the current restriction on UK based recreational vessels is applicable to Guernsey. Whatever the outcome of these enquiries bluefin tuna are currently classed as an endangered species and should not be targeted by recreational fishermen."