Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF) 2026

Why BFT CRRF is being introduced

Bluefin tuna is a highly regulated species. This precautionary programme will support responsible recreational fishing, contribute to conservation, and help build knowledge of bluefin tuna presence, behaviour and distribution in Northern Ireland waters. The programme:

• Supports the approach set out in the UK’s submitted programme;
• Matches fishing opportunities in Northern Ireland waters to actual distribution;
• Does not result in unsustainable or unproportional level of mortality;
• Provides a fair opportunity to utilise the resources in NI waters, as part of the wider UK resource and realises benefits from the social/economic outcomes of having access to a sustainable BFT fishery;
• Is enforceable and catch information is recorded and improves knowledge of the fishery, and
• Builds on and develops previous experience and interest in the fishery. 

About the fishery

The BFT CRRF will allow a limited number of permitted vessels to take part in a managed recreational catch-and-release fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna. It supports conservation, safe handling and release of the species, and will help DAERA gather better information on bluefin tuna in Northern Ireland waters. 

The BFT CRRF permit is a permit granted under Article 19D in respect of a specified recreational UK fishing boat under retained EU regulation 2016/1627  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/1627/contents

The regulation specifies that Bluefin Tuna:

MUST be released unharmed;

MUST NOT be intentionally removed from the sea;

MUST NOT be transferred to any other vessel;

MUST NOT be retained on board; and 

MUST NOT be landed.

BFT CRRF is catch-and-release only. Bluefin tuna must not be retained, landed or sold.

• Bluefin tuna must be released alive in accordance with Angling Trust methodology as set out in BFT-CRRF-Code-of-Conduct.pdf
• Permit holders must complete required training prior to a Permit being issued.
• Permit holders must follow all Permit conditions, failure to follow Permit conditions may result in enforcement action being taken against the Permit holder and/ or the revocation or suspension of the permit.
• It is a legal requirement for all trip and catch information to be recorded and submitted to DAERA to improve understanding of the species in our waters.
• The Department may nominate an observer during the time frame of this fishery to be onboard your vessel, failure to accommodate this request may result in this suspension of your Permit, continued refusal may result in the revocation of your Permit.

Limited number of permits available

Permits are limited to a maximum of 10 for the 2026 season in line with the UK quota allocation.

Where DAERA receives a greater number of eligible applications than the maximum number of permits, it may use such criteria as it deems appropriate, including a means of random selection, to rank applications and once the authority has granted the maximum number of Permits will refuse the remaining applications for that reason alone.

Eligibility

Eligible vessel owners, may apply, provided they can meet the Permit application requirements.

• The vessel must be at least 5 metres in overall length and powered by an engine or motor.
• The applicant must be the owner of a vessel registered in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Evidence of registration will be required.
• If the vessel is used for charter fishing trips, a valid Small Commercial Vessel Certificate must be held and evidence provided.
• Applicants cannot hold more than one bluefin tuna Permit for the same vessel in a single season. Holders of a BFT CRRF permit from another UK fisheries administration, or a Permit for the 2026 UK commercial bluefin tuna fishery, for the same vessel, may not apply.
• Successful applicants must complete training before a NI BFT CRRF permit is issued.
• Applicants must only apply if they intend to use the Permit. Permit use and reporting will be monitored, and failure to use the Permit or report activity will result in the Permit being revoked and may affect future applications.
• Applications must be complete and include all required information before the submission deadline. 
• Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Apply for a permit

To take part, applicants must complete the downloadable application form and return it by noon on 15 September, which is the closing date.

• Download the application form: 

  BFT CRRF APPLICATION NORTHERN IRELAND

• Return completed forms and supporting information to: fishingvessellicensing@daera-ni.gov.uk
• Deadline: completed application forms must be received by noon on 15 September 2026.

No charge is introduced for permits in 2026. Requirements for the introduction of a charging regime will be explored for future years.

Mandatory training requirements

Once applications have been initially assessed, successful applicants will be issued with a conditional offer, requiring them to complete the Angling Trust Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF) training.

The training programme will be online. Full details will be provided when applicants are notified of their conditional offer.

Upon successful completion of the Angling Trust Bluefin Tuna CRRF training, participants will receive a certificate. A copy of this certificate must be provided to DAERA. Participants must follow the training given and adhere to the BFT-CRRF-Code-of-Conduct.pdf

Those issued with a BFT CRRF permit must comply with, and report their fishing activity in line with, The Sea Fisheries - International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024.

Failure to follow the Code of Conduct guidelines, the online training provided or the Conditions set out within a Permit can result in the revocation of the Permit.

No charge is introduced for Permits in 2026. Requirements for the introduction of a charging regime will be explored for future years. 

Permit conditions and mandatory reporting obligations

The vessel owner and skipper are legally bound by the conditions of a NI BFT CRRF permit ensuring that all legislative and permit requirements are followed. The BFT CRRF permit is granted under Article 19D in respect of a specified recreational UK fishing boat under retained EU regulation 2016/1627 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/1627/contents

All permitted bluefin tuna catch-and-release fishing trips must be reported to DAERA within 24 hours of the vessel’s return, whether or not any bluefin tuna were caught. 

Full details of reporting obligations will be detailed in the Permit, however as a minimum, permit holders must report:

• the date of the fishing trip;
• the ICES rectangle where fishing activity took place;
• the number of bluefin tuna caught and released;
• the length of each bluefin tuna caught;
• the gear used;
• the fight time, recovery period and release status of the fish; and
• any incidental bycatch events.

Details on how to report will be provided to successful applicants, covered in training and included in the permit conditions. 

Permit and Notices

Permits will be deemed given to the owner of the fishing boat named in the Permit (or where the owner has appointed a nominee, the nominee) by transmission through the email address provided on the application and recorded in the permit.

Notices will be deemed given to the permit holder by transmission through the email address provided on the application and recorded in the permit or by publishing the notice on this webpage, the address of which is specified in the Permit to which the notice relates.

If your circumstances change at any time or you can no longer use the BFT CRRF permit, you must inform DAERA immediately.

Please note the permit cannot be transferred to another owner or another person. Any transfer of permit must be agreed and approved by DAERA by application to fishingvessellicensing@daera-ni.gov.uk

Variation, suspension or revocation of Permits

DAERA may 

• vary a Permit it has granted, 
• add, remove or vary a condition attached to a Permit it has granted,
• suspend or revoke a Permit it has granted if it considers this to be 

(a) necessary or expedient in relation to—

(i)the conservation or welfare of sea fish, mammals, birds, the marine environment or ecosystem,

(ii)the catch quota for bluefin tuna, or

(iii)the regulation of bluefin tuna fishing, or

(b) appropriate where the fishing boat named in the Permit has changed ownership or been involved in an offence, or suspected offence, under this Regulation.

Where DAERA varies, suspends or revokes a Permit it has granted, or adds, removes or varies a condition attached to such a Permit, it will do so by notice.

Publication of Data

Information generated from CRRF mandatory trip reports will be shared with MMO and ICAAT and may be published on-line.

Timeline

Key dates for the NI CRRF 2026

NI CRRF 2026 applications open - 4 September 2026.

Final date for applications Noon on 15 September 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Mandatory Training – Dates to be confirmed.

Final Permits issued to successful applicants  – Dates subject to training completion and certification.

Contact

Completed application forms should be sent to fishingvessellicensing@daera-ni.gov.uk