The ESG and GONHS have read recent comments regarding Bluefin Tuna (BFT) fishing, attributed to local anglers, with disbelief. We believe these comments cannot go unanswered.

The claim that Bluefin Tuna numbers are ‘out of control’ is frankly astonishing. Humans have driven many species to extinction over the centuries, including due to overexploitation. 

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna itself was threatened with extinction not long ago. Given this history, and the ongoing risks posed by rising sea temperatures and broader environmental pressures, the current recovery of BFT populations should be something to protect and celebrate—not vilify.

While it is true that BFT numbers have improved from near-collapse, experts caution that this recovery is fragile and must be carefully managed. To suggest that the species is now ‘out of control’ is not only misleading but dangerous.  Furthermore, populations of the prey species of BFT remain healthy, or the population of BFT itself would collapse.  This is a very basic ecological principle.

The recent call by the Tuna Fishing Club for a commercial quota, in addition to existing sport fishing quotas, is unacceptable.  Gibraltar’s current quotas are already disproportionately high relative to our small population and territorial waters when compared with allocations to larger countries across Europe.

Gibraltar has a proud and well-established record of fighting to protect its natural environment and biodiversity. The ESG and GONHS believe that Gibraltar has a responsibility to safeguard all migratory species in our environment – particularly apex predators like the majestic BFT that are so important to food chains – now and for generations to come.

Local News

Environmental groups call for stronger tuna regulations as anglers seek commercial quota

By Gabriella PeraltaShare  

29th July 2025

With the Atlantic Bluefin tuna season set to reopen next week, local environmental groups have raised concern over regulations and conservation, while anglers have highlighted the need for a commercial quota.

The first part of the tuna season closed earlier this month with 64 sports anglers catching 122 tunas weighing 23,755 kg.

The highest total amount in weight caught by one angler was 1,118 kg and as anglers often sell their prized catch privately and to restaurants, local conservation groups have questioned whether the Government needs to implement further protections or a commercial framework to ensure standards.

Currently under local law the Tuna Preservation Regulations do not have provisions for the sale of tuna. The regulations make it an offence to sell tuna during the closed season but remain silent on the issue while the season is open.

But the Government told the Chronicle that under the auspices of the Food Hygiene Regulations it is an offence to sell any tuna that lacks proper traceability, regardless of whether it is during the open or closed season.

“Traceability must be established through either a valid landing certificate (for locally caught tuna) or an invoice demonstrating that the tuna has been legally imported through the land frontier via the correct channels (HM customs & EA),” the Government said.

“During the open season, the Environmental Agency issues annual guidance, in the form of an informational letter, to food businesses outlining the requirements relating to tuna handling and food safety.”

With regard to the mechanisms to control the sale of Bluefin tuna at present, enforcement is carried out by the Environmental Agency during routine hygiene inspections at restaurants.

“As part of these inspections, officers verify that the necessary documentation is in place to confirm traceability, and also carry out a physical inspection of any Bluefin tuna present to ensure it is safe for human consumption and corresponds with the supporting documentation,” the Government said.

In response Keith Bensusan, General Secretary of GONHS, said there should be measures in place to ensure that anglers are compliant when selling Bluefin tuna, adding that this raises “all sorts of issues” regarding conservation.

He added that measures need to be “targeted, specific and thorough”.

This year the quota was increased by one tonne compared to last year, with the total allowable catch this year standing at 26 tonnes.

The second part of the season is set to reopen on August 8 and the quota is set at three tonnes.

“Our concern is that the quota is totally out of proportion,” Mr Bensusan said.

“Our stated position is that the quota is already too big, and we are not in favour of an increase.”

The Environmental Safety Group (ESG) reiterated its opposition to the hunting of Bluefin Tuna for sport in Gibraltar and said it “maintains this view today”.

The ESG said it has concerns about how Gibraltar manages this activity and believes more needs to be done.

“We are told the sale of tuna meat caught locally under sport fishing licences is not regulated under our ‘Tuna Preservation Regulations’ but managed by the Environmental Agency under Food and Hygiene Regulations, for safe consumption,”

“This is clearly important from a health and safety perspective but the group would be interested to know why our Tuna Preservation Regulations do not include the issue of sales of catches.”

“The group also asks how it is possible to ensure that catches caught and sold among the community and outside of businesses, which are routinely inspected, are accounted for in terms of food and hygiene regulations.”

“The ESG understands all Bluefin tuna catches must be declared on landing but if not sold commercially, but privately, how then are such standards applied?”

The recent announcement and action taken by the Government on greater protection of some locally fished species was welcomed by the ESG.

“With climate change, warmer seas, over-fishing, and changes to migratory behaviour, the ESG hopes careful monitoring of the visiting Bluefin tuna is in place to ensure fullest understanding possible of the impacts from this sport and quotas amended as per action taken recently on other species,” the ESG said.

Anglers, understandably, have a different take on the issue.

Samuel Marrache, spokesperson for the Gibraltar Tuna Fishing Club, described how the Government should consider providing Gibraltar with a commercial quota, where anglers would be able to sell under stricter conditions.

He gave the example of possibly a 30-tonne local commercial quota, in addition to the existing recreational quota, with anglers needing to contribute a portion of the earnings under the commercial quota to the Government.

“We need to start thinking about a commercial quota, or Gibraltar will continue to stay behind,” he said.

Mr Marrache said the population of wild Bluefin tuna has fully recovered and is now “out of control”, with the prized fish reducing the numbers of bait fish in local waters.

He added that the club prepares recreational anglers to learn how to cut fish and use cooler boxes to ensure food hygiene standards are met, when selling both to restaurants and private sales.

He highlighted the need for a cleaning station, which includes a steel table, where anglers could gut their fish in a clean environment.

But, he added, that the onus of food hygiene also relies on restaurants to ensure that the fish purchased has been handled to high standards.