Atlantic bluefin tuna is recognised as an endangered species by the WWF and the IUCN Red List.
Within EU waters, it is prohibited for commercial or recreational vessels to catch or target bluefin tuna unless authorised to do so by an EU member state. The UK has no specific quota to catch bluefin tuna and as such does not currently issue authorisations to UK recreational vessels.
Bluefin tuna is a prohibited species for UK registered commercial fishing vessels and if caught as a by-catch must be returned to the sea, alive and unharmed to the greatest extent possible.
Bluefin tuna caught as a by-catch which are dead must be reported to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) by contacting the local MMO office, landed whole and unprocessed. Bluefin tuna landed as a result of this requirement must not be sold or given away unless it is for scientific research following approval from the MMO.
More information on bluefin tuna on the MMO blog.
More information
Follow this news feed: DEFRA