Written questions

Tuna: Fisheries

Commons · Question 126169 · Tabled 10 Apr 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 16 Apr 2026

Question

Asked by Ben Maguire

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that access to bluefin tuna fishing licences is (a) increased and (b) distributed across inshore fleets, including in coastal communi

Answer

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle, 16 Apr 2026

In 2026 Defra is making up to 30 licence authorisations available for commercial rod and line fishing for bluefin tuna, double the number in 2025. The fishery is accessed through an application process run by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and i...