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No landing of bluefin tuna in Guernsey for a while

Atlantic bluefin tuna feeding off Alderney

Work continues to get Bailiwick membership of the world conservation body.

Atlantic bluefin tuna have been spotted in increasing numbers is Bailiwick waters.

It is thought they are pursuing shoals of prey who are seeking the cooler waters of the Channel.

A conservation programme has brought them back from the endangered category and Jersey has been quick to capitalise on this.

Five commercial licences, to fish for tuna sustainably by rod and line, were issued last weekend and the first fish were on sale on a slab in the St Helier market early on Monday - a sight more common in Spain.

Guernsey too is looking at limited licencing but David Wilkinson, the senior fisheries officer, says they are still in talks over membership of ICCAT, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas:

“Officers are continuing work with DEFRA to enable the UK membership of ICCAT to be extended to the Bailiwick.

"There have been a number of legislative gaps identified, for example around illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, specific protections for associated ICCAT species such as bluewater shark species and some technical gaps around trade and transhipment rules.

"A separate MOU with additional technical and working arrangements is also being agreed between the Bailiwick and DEFRA.  

"The legislative changes will need States approval and enactment in each of the islands before extension of ICCAT and prior to any bluefin tuna fishery being permitted in Bailiwick waters."

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