The catch and release bluefin tuna fishery which is set to restart in early August, has caused a lot of unrest amongst anglers, due to some unusual decisions by Defra and the allocation of permits and fishery management decisions.
After five years of data collection from various sources that joined the Charter Program run by the UK Bluefin Tuna Association (UKBFTA), it was decided that there were sufficient numbers of fish and adequate information on the safe release of tuna to open a recreational fishery.
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During this time, over 8,000 anglers have fished, and around 2,000 tuna have been caught, tagged, and released in a massive effort run between charters and various private boat owners who have given their time, money, and effort to help establish a world-class bluefin fishery right here in the UK.
This effort helped create a code of conduct for the best equipment to use, to ensure fish are brought to the boat as soon as possible, and the most efficient way to revive the fish when they are unhooked and tagged. We spoke exclusively to John Locker, founder and presenter of the popular YouTube channel The Fish Locker, about this:
"There has been a monumental effort from many anglers since the tuna arrived back on our shores around five years ago.”
“We have given up our time, money, and effort, working alongside the UKBFTA and Defra to provide education on these magnificent fish and understand the best way to manage them.”
“So much has been learned thanks to the anglers who took part, and we helped form best practices to ensure as many tuna as possible could be released alive and well after capture," John added.
"In fact, with the correct gear and management of the 2,000+ tuna landed, we only saw a mortality rate of 3.4% from boats that had the training, which is fantastic for such a powerful fish."
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John went on to say:
"Tuna almost cook themselves during a fight, with a huge amount of lactic acid forming in their muscles. They have slow and fast-twitch muscles, utilizing the fast-twitch for the first 15 minutes before using their slow-twitch muscles, during which the exhausted fast-twitch muscles replenish.”
“This is often why you get fast, stripping runs followed by prolonged plodding, then switching back to fast runs again."
This scheme was run alongside the Angling Trust and Defra, and it was decided that 100 permits would be allocated.
Of the 94 applications received, 74 were from private/recreational anglers, and this is where the problem arose, as only 26 permits were left after commercial permits were processed. It was decided that these anglers would be entered into a lottery, meaning skippers with absolutely no training, many of whom had never caught a bluefin, would have an equal chance as those who have been part of the charter programs and have extensive knowledge in the area.
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"A recreational fishery is based on catching and releasing fish. With good training, a 3.4% mortality rate was observed. Without training, it is hard to imagine a figure anywhere close to that, meaning a lot of tuna dying unnecessarily because of poor knowledge," John said.
"A dead tuna is worth absolutely nothing to a recreational fishery. It also reflects badly on those doing it right when dead tuna start to wash ashore.”
“We were never told at any of the meetings that a lottery-style system would be used, as we would have argued the points made there and then to prevent this from happening."
"As such, the lottery confirmed our worst fears, with many inexperienced anglers getting permits, while the majority of seasoned skippers were omitted.”
“I'm not even bothered if I had missed out, but other experienced anglers should have received a permit. However, after talking to them, it appears they were all shunned too," John added.
"Logic says the best way to have managed the fishery would have been to give those with the most experience preference, then work down the list to ensure everyone fishing legally had or could provide training."
John worked as a marine fisheries officer and has a wealth of commercial and private boat fishing experience, enabling him to identify various problems with the decision from both sides of the argument. He has since resigned his position on the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) due to the handling of the situation.
Each applicant was given 150 days of angling for the season, which runs from August to December. However, it will be almost impossible to fill these days due to weather conditions, time, and cost. John had some fantastic solutions to the issue, which he remains adamant could be rectified for the season ahead.
"Instead of allocating 150 days of angling to 26 boats, they could have split it into 50 days each, allowing the full quota of 76 anglers who applied to receive a permit. It would have been even more beneficial to give 2 extra days to experienced captains to take out inexperienced anglers for full, free-of-charge training."
John also told us that Defra has no guidelines at all regarding what tackle should be used or how to handle tuna, despite the five years of effort from anglers and scientists to help create best practice scenarios.
"This is the most ludicrous part of the whole situation. With your permit, you can go out, catch a tuna with no guidelines or experience, it is a recipe for disaster.
“They are not your average fish; they require a lot of care to be successfully released, and line breakages, poor handling, and insufficient knowledge will reduce the number of fish returned alive.”
"I, as much as anyone, want to see a prolific, world-class fishery on our doorstep, something to leave my son and the next generation. But this feels like a blow to all of our efforts."
"I always try to push positivity in angling, as it is somewhere the sport could improve, I try to help where I can but I also like to call things as I see them and this wasn't an issue I could keep quiet about," John concluded. You can see more, great fishing and education videos from John, at the Fish Locker Youtube by clicking here...
