Maritime businesses could in future receive government funding to make upgrades to boats to allow them to fish for Atlantic bluefin tuna, the Environment Minister has suggested.

Speaking in the States, Deputy Steve Luce said that any quota given to Jersey-registered vessels to catch and sell the lucrative fish would be carefully managed and in line with international best practice.

The Minister had previously spoken about the possibility of developing a sustainable Atlantic bluefin tuna market in Jersey, after increasing numbers of the species have been spotted in local waters in recent years.

Earlier this year, Deputy Luce confirmed that charter fishing would take place in Jersey waters for a three-month trial period, with up to five businesses given permits in 2025.

The announcement, however, generated backlash from a UK-based animal rights organisation, which warned that the move risks reversing hard-won conservation gains for a species that only recently recovered from near-extinction.

Responding to a question on the topic of bluefin tuna fishing from Deputy Hilary Jeune this week, Deputy Luce pledged that, “should a commercial quota for Atlantic bluefin tuna be allocated to Jersey or to Jersey-registered vessels, this opportunity would be managed with the utmost responsibility and care”.

“Rigorous” application process

“A structured licensing regime would be implemented, fully aligned with International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas regulations and there will be vessel-specific authorisations required,” he continued.

“A rigorous applications process will ensure that only those vessels which are properly equipped and professionally prepared will be admitted to participate.

“This approach is designed to uphold the highest standards of sustainability, traceability and industry best practice, ensuring that any quota to Jersey is not only respected but maximised in value for our economy.”

The Minister added that licensing applications would be handled under existing funding as “business as usual” but admitted that some money may need to be allocated to allow vessels to take part in any commercial fishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Possible funding

“I anticipate that there will be costs to fishing boats to convert to fish for this very specialised catch and that the funding for that could be discussed at the time, potentially using the Marine Support Scheme,” he said.

The government’s Marine Resources team has conducted studies which have confirmed that a small and well-managed tuna fishery is viable. However, Jersey first needs to get permission from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK, which manages quotas in all British waters.

Deputy Luce said in a recent Scrutiny hearing that he was confident that Jersey would receive an allocation.

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