The fish is being retained by the MMO while the catch is investigated. It is being appropriately stored while our work is ongoing.
The UK supports the work of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in its efforts to ensure the future sustainability of bluefin tuna and as such strongly discourages any targeted fishing for this species.
We call for the fishing industry not to catch bluefin tuna and, where catches are unavoidable, the tuna should be released alive and unharmed to the greatest extent possible.
As set out in our annual statistics publication, virtually all tuna available for use in the UK is from abroad. In 2011 the UK imported 98,000 tonnes of tuna, worth £268 million.
Also in 2011, UK vessels landed £24,661 worth of tuna in the UK, mainly albacore (Thunnus alalunga).
Bluefin Tuna Caught off England's Coast
UK - Marine officers from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) have identified a tuna recently caught off the coast of Devon as a bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus).
by Lucy Towers
