Irish skippers needed to support scientific programme for world’s largest tuna

Applications have opened today for experienced angling skippers to catch and release Atlantic bluefin tuna as part of a collaborative scientific survey.

The initiative targets Atlantic bluefin – the world’s largest tuna species – to collect information on their sizes, and where and when they occur in Irish waters.

Inland Fisheries Ireland Senior Research Officer Dr William Roche commented: “This is a very important tagging programme, undertaken on-site by authorised tuna angling skippers.

"Large bluefin tuna consistently visit Irish waters between summer and autumn – especially off the northwest and south coasts.

“Sizes of tuna have varied over the years and their arrival time has been variable too.

“The data from this programme is incorporated into international stock assessment models for Atlantic bluefin tuna to understand the status of this tightly managed and formerly endangered species.”

In 2024, the programme recorded:

• A total of 294 bluefin tagged;
• 234 bluefin tuna angling trips undertaken;
• 3 bluefin caught per trip in the most successful week;
• 74% of all bluefin tuna tagged were tagged off the Donegal Coast, which is a hotspot for bluefin.

In 2025, a maximum of 25 authorisations may be granted to qualifying angling charter vessel skippers around the Irish coast. 

This fishery will open on July 1st and closes on November 12th 2025.

As well as Donegal, the Kerry and Cork coasts are the other two locations where bluefin tuna were tagged and released. Bluefin were also observed on several occasions off the west coast.

Recreational angling for Atlantic bluefin tuna is technically prohibited in Ireland. 

Unauthorised vessels are not permitted to target or catch bluefin tuna, and any unauthorised person found to be targeting them is liable for prosecution. 

However, under the Tuna CHART (CatcH And Release Tagging) programme, authorised charter vessel skippers can catch, tag, and release bluefin during the open season, with the help of anglers on board. 

Skippers will be required to have high-specification rods, reels and lines to ensure that each tuna is brought alongside the vessel for tagging in a timely manner, prior to their subsequent release.

Experienced charter skippers can apply to join the 2025 Tuna CHART programme between February 12th and February 26th 2025 by completing an online application form at fisheriesireland.ie/bluefin.