Science of the fishery
Until 2024, Tuna fishing in the UK was highly regulated by DEFRA, CEFAS and the MMO on behalf of the UK Govt.
Eloise has worked on two scientific studies, the Cefas run ‘CHART’ (CatcH And Release Tagging) and the more in depth and long standing Exeter University project Thunnus UK. Now, in 2024, after successful lobbying with the British Government, Eloise will be part of the first ever licensed recreational catch and release fishery in the UK.
Thunnus UK
THUNNUS UK is a collaborative research project between the University of Exeter, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Tuna Research and Conservation Centre of Stanford University, USA and aims to provide a robust understanding of the ecology of Atlantic Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in waters of the British Isles. EU Interreg IV (FISH-INTEL), the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) support the project.
CHART - CatcH And Release Tagging
The first co-designed CatcH And Release Tagging (CHART) programme for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (BFT) was piloted in English waters in 2021. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has invited suitable charter vessels and skippers to request an application pack to participate in the CHART programme in English waters in 2022, operating in ICES areas 4.c, 7.d, 7.e (excluding the territorial waters (12 nm) of the Channel Islands) 7.f and 7.h.
The programme has been developed in collaboration with representatives from the charter vessel and recreational fishing sector and will permit up to 25 charter boat skippers to take out paying customers to catch BFT, which would then be tagged and released by skippers.
Training in fishing, tagging, fish handling and data collection techniques has been provided to successful applicants by Cefas prior to the MMO awarding the necessary scientific licence to fish. Cefas will work collaboratively with skippers, to provide observers throughout the programme to ensure that the operating standards of the programme are maintained. The programme delivers valuable research while giving the highest consideration for the welfare and conservation of BFT.