Minister hopeful for Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing

Jersey's environment minister hopes charter fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna will be possible in its waters this year.

Deputy Steve Luce provided an update to the States Assembly on the proposed extension to Jersey of the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic tunas, which would allow the island's vessels to sustainably fish for the species.

He said the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has authorised charter fishing to take place in Jersey territorial waters in 2025 once the extension is completed.

The minister plans to sign a ministerial decision requesting officers to formally convey the extension request to the UK by early June.

Deputy Luce said the UK became a contracting party to the 1966 convention, which aims to ensure sustainable fishing and population management, during Brexit negotiations.

He said: "As a Crown dependency, Jersey is not recognised as an independent state by the UN and so cannot participate in the convention in its own right.

"The UK represents Jersey as a matter of international law and, with Jersey's consent, can extend the convention to cover the island."

He said shoals of thousands of Atlantic bluefin tuna had been sighted in the island's water since 2016.

However, according to Jersey's government, the species are protected under the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021, which prohibits targeting and landing Atlantic bluefin tuna within Jersey territorial waters.

Deputy Luce said an extension of the convention would result in the fishery being opened and would be managed, monitored and enforced by Marine Resources.

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