2024 UK Bluefin Catch Report

The 2024 season marked a major milestone for bluefin tuna fishing in the UK, as the first official Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF) opened following years of scientific research. After the success of the CHART tagging programme between 2021 and 2023, expectations were high — and the results confirmed what many anglers had already suspected: Bluefin tuna are back in UK waters in serious numbers.

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Season Overview

The 2024 fishery ran from early August through to the end of December, covering just over 21 weeks. A total of 93 vessels were permitted, with 81 actively fishing during the season. Across the fleet, 1,014 trips were completed, showing strong participation in the first official year of the fishery. Fishing effort was heavily concentrated between August and October, when conditions and tuna activity were at their best.

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Catch Performance

In total, 3,359 bluefin tuna were caught during the 2024 season. This equates to an average of 3.3 tuna per trip, an exceptionally strong catch rate for a newly opened fishery. Catch rates were highest during September and October, with peaks of over 3.6 fish per trip, before dropping off sharply toward the end of the season as weather conditions deteriorated. Overall, the data shows a highly productive fishery with consistent action during peak months.

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Fish Size

The average bluefin tuna caught measured 167.7 cm, with some fish exceeding 300 cm in length. This indicates a healthy and well-established population, with a mix of fish sizes including a strong presence of large, mature tuna. For UK anglers, this represents a realistic opportunity to encounter genuinely big fish.

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Success Rates

One of the standout features of the 2024 season was how consistent the fishing was.

• 83% of trips successfully hooked at least one tuna

This high success rate meant that anglers had a very strong chance of encountering fish on any given trip — particularly during the peak months.

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Fish Welfare and Sustainability

A key focus of the UK bluefin tuna fishery is sustainability and responsible catch-and-release practices.

The 2024 data shows this is working extremely well:

• 98.7% of tuna were released in good to excellent condition
• Mortality rate was just 0.21%

These figures demonstrate that, when handled correctly, bluefin tuna can be targeted responsibly with minimal impact on the population.

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Key Takeaways from the 2024 Season

• Exceptionally strong catch rates for a first-year fishery
• High trip success rates across the fleet
• A healthy population with a good mix of fish sizes
• Sustainable practices proving highly effective

Perhaps most importantly, the 2024 season confirmed that the UK is now firmly established as a legitimate destination for bluefin tuna fishing.

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Looking Ahead

With such a strong first season, the future of bluefin tuna fishing in the UK looks extremely promising. As more data is collected and the fishery continues to evolve, anglers can expect further insights into seasonal patterns, fish behaviour, and long-term trends. If 2024 is anything to go by, the opportunity to target bluefin tuna in UK waters is only just getting started.

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Want to Experience It for Yourself?

If you’re interested in bluefin tuna fishing in the UK or want to stay updated with future seasons, keep an eye on the latest reports and insights. The return of bluefin tuna is one of the most exciting developments in UK sea fishing — and it’s happening right now.

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This analysis is based on publicly available data from the UK Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF), published by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)