Bluefin tuna might be legally caught by commercial and recreational fishers by next summer.
Economic Development (ED) has put forward measures that would extend UK rule to Guernsey under the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
If agreed, new permits for recreational tuna fishing, new license conditions for commercial fishers and measures to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing would be introduced.
Deputy Lee Van Katwyk, Sea Fisheries Lead for Economic Development, said: “Atlantic bluefin tuna numbers have increased significantly in Bailiwick waters in recent years, leading to growing interest from both commercial fishermen and recreational anglers.
“We are asking the States to support these proposals, which would allow local fisheries to legally capitalise on these opportunities while simultaneously bringing Guernsey in line with other jurisdictions regarding marine convention regulations.
“The aim is to complete and ratify the legislation so that islanders can take advantage of the changes in the 2027 fishing season.”
The proposals would allow Guernsey’s fishing vessels to apply for access to the UK’s tuna quota allocation, which currently stands at 230 tonnes of bluefin tuna per year.
