Full Breakdown
Historic Return of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna to Yorkshire Waters
8/21/2026, 12:42:43 AM
The Catch That Broke Six Decades of Absence
A five-person crew aboard The Dominator hauled a giant Atlantic bluefin tuna off Whitby. The fish measured roughly 338 kg (about 740 lb) when first pulled aboard and was recorded at 302 kg after reaching shore. A second specimen landed the next day, weighing around 310 kg. These are the first bluefin tuna landed in the region since the late 1930s, ending a gap of roughly 60 years.
Background & Context
Bluefin tuna were a hallmark of Yorkshire’s “tunny” era, with the British record set at 386 kg in Whitby in 1933. Overfishing of herring and commercial tuna harvests drove the species out of the North Sea by the 1960s.
Since 2018, researchers from the University of Exeter have been tagging bluefin tuna along England’s Atlantic coast. The Whitby specimens are the first tagged in northeast England and appear larger than earlier-tagged fish.
Key Figures & Groups
- Jack Gardner – crew member who described the catch as “the best feeling ever.”
- Ada Peake – trainee with 54 North Maritime Training, part of the crew.
- Ben Shutt – skipper of The Dominator.
- Clive Easton – vessel owner who secured the second catch.
- Lance Varrell – representative of Hook to Plate, the buyer.
- Dr Lucy Hawkes – lead researcher at Exeter.
- Rodney Forster – professor at the University of Hull.
- Bryce Stewart – senior research fellow at the Marine Biological Association.
- Calum Duncan – policy specialist at the Marine Conservation Society.
Data & Statistics
- First tuna weight: 338 kg (302 kg at shore).
- Second tuna weight: ~310 kg.
- Tags deployed off Whitby: six.
- Total Atlantic-coast tags since 2018: 165 plus the new northeast tags.
- Licensed UK vessels for bluefin tuna in 2026: 30, all using rod-and-reel methods.
Official Statements & Responses
The current UK quota for bluefin tuna is “really small” compared with the overall stock, underscoring a precautionary approach.
Calum Duncan of the Marine Conservation Society called the comeback “encouraging” but warned that protection of the food chain and stricter management are essential for long-term survival.
On-the-Ground Reports
Crew members said a flock of birds led them to the tuna’s location. Gardner recalled the fish “jumped out of the water,” and Peake described the sight as “it didn’t look real,” expressing pride in the historic catch.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Weight discrepancies: Sources list the first tuna’s weight as 338 kg, 302 kg, and 320 kg; the second as 310 kg, 319.7 kg, and “just a little bit” less than the first.
- Timeline: Some outlets claim the catch is the first in 90 years, others say 60 years.
- Origin: Researchers have no definitive data on where the tuna migrated from pending tag analysis.
What’s Next
The University of Exeter will monitor the tagged tuna for two years, using light, temperature and depth data to map migration routes and identify spawning grounds. Findings will inform future ICCAT quota discussions and guide UK fisheries policy to support the species’ recovery along the Yorkshire coast.
