What a catch! Welsh-caught bluefin tuna sold to the public for the first time

• Five bluefin tuna landed at Milford Haven were processed and sold in Burry Port 

• The sale is part of a trial to help build a sustainable, Welsh bluefin tuna fishery 

• Fishers hope for further landings in the coming weeks 

The first five bluefin tuna landed at Milford Haven have been processed and sold locally for the first time, marking a milestone for the Welsh fishing industry. 

The tuna were caught as part of a commercial-scientific trial introduced by the Welsh Government.  

Participants in the trial use rod and reel only, record every catch in detail, and land their fish at designated Welsh ports, Milford Haven and Holyhead. In return for this extra data, they can target bluefin tuna in specified areas of the Welsh zone. 

The fish caught earlier this month were processed at a premises in Burry Port. The majority of the tuna was sold to the public at a Saturday walk-in fish market, where it was eagerly received by customers. The rest, including the fins, frames and heads, was sent out through a nationwide home delivery service, giving people across the UK the chance to try a piece of Welsh fishing history. 

Fishers are hopeful of landing further tuna, weather permitting, and want to build on the excitement around these first catches. 

The Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd, said:  

These landings show how our fishers can combine tradition with science to build a sustainable future for bluefin tuna in Wales, and deliver locally caught fish to Welsh customers. 

I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in this fantastic moment for Welsh fishing. 

Teddy Whitall, Managing Director of Whitfish Ltd, said: 

It means a great deal to be involved in purchasing and selling the first bluefin tuna commercially caught and landed in Wales.

This is about more than the fish themselves: it's the start of a new chapter for Welsh fishing, creating fresh opportunities for our fishermen, coastal communities and the wider seafood sector.

I hope this marks the beginning of something exciting for the future of the Welsh fishing industry."

Notes to editors

• The trial is separate from the UK commercial fishery and the recreational fishery in Wales and England and operates using a separate portion of the UK's 2026 bluefin tuna quota. It does not affect licence authorisations or permits issued for those fisheries and will not reduce their quota. 

• To participate, fishers must hold a valid UK commercial fishing licence, not already hold a bluefin tuna licence or permit, complete specific training, use a vessel of 12 metres or under, and agree that all trips will be under 24 hours. 

• Authorised fishers must use rod and reel only (no chumming), complete ICCAT eBCD documentation for all catches, land fish at Milford Haven or Holyhead, and provide detailed data on their fishing activity, including catch locations, weather conditions, hours fished and any bycatch. 

• The trail is intended to inform the operation of the fishery in future years.