A massive Atlantic bluefin tuna weighing 746 pounds or around 338 kg has been caught off the Yorkshire coast near Whitby, marking the return of the giant fish to the region after nearly 90 years
The huge tuna was caught about 10 miles from Whitby Harbour by the five-member crew of The Dominator and brought ashore on Sunday
Crew member Jack Gardner said the fish suddenly jumped out of the water, leaving the crew stunned by its size
The crew reportedly had to pull the fish for nearly five miles before bringing it onto the boat. They caught another bluefin tuna the next day, with that fish also weighing more than 300 kg
Why Are Bluefin Tuna Returning
Scientists believe warmer sea temperatures could be one reason Atlantic bluefin tuna are moving farther north into British waters
Research has found early signs that the species is expanding its range as seas become warmer
The Met Office reported that 2025 saw marine heatwave conditions for more than three-quarters of the year. Above-average sea temperatures were also recorded in 2022 and 2023, while 2026 has again seen unusually warm waters
Better Fish Stocks May Also Help
Warmer seas are not the only possible reason for the return of bluefin tuna
Scientists say the species was once common in British waters but declined sharply because of heavy fishing. Bluefin tuna stocks had largely collapsed by the 1950s and 1960s
The fish began appearing again in British waters from around 2014, first becoming more common near Devon and Cornwall before moving farther north
Stronger fishing controls introduced in 2007 are also believed to have helped the population recover
Plenty Of Food For Giant Tuna
The availability of smaller fish could be another reason for the return
Research by the University of Exeter found that bluefin tuna around the UK were feeding on oily fish such as anchovies, sardines and sprats
Scientists say the presence of these giant predators may also indicate healthier marine ecosystems because bluefin tuna need a strong supply of smaller fish to survive
Whitby Has A Tuna History
The latest catch has special importance for Whitby because the area was once famous for bluefin tuna fishing
During the 1930s, anglers travelled to Whitby and Scarborough to catch the giant fish, which were then commonly called tunny
Hollywood stars including John Wayne and Errol Flynn were among those who visited the Yorkshire coast for big-game fishing
In 1933, Whitby recorded a British record when an 851-pound or 386 kg bluefin tuna was caught off the coast
The sport declined after World War Two, while commercial fishing reduced tuna populations and the availability of their prey
Scientists Are Tracking The Fish
Researchers are now studying the returning bluefin tuna to understand where they come from and whether British waters could become a permanent part of their range
Since 2018, University of Exeter researchers have tagged 165 bluefin tuna along the Atlantic coast of England, Wales and Jersey
Six bluefin tuna have now been tagged near Whitby to track their movements, feeding habits and migration routes
Scientists believe more bluefin tuna could appear in British waters as sea conditions become more favourable
Warmer Seas Also Bring Risks
The return of bluefin tuna may indicate recovering marine life, but scientists warn that warmer seas can also create problems for Britain’s marine ecosystem
Rising temperatures could reduce species such as cod and allow other marine species to enter British waters and compete with native wildlife
UK fishing vessels also operate under a limited annual bluefin tuna quota. Commercial fishermen can catch up to 120 tonnes of bluefin tuna in UK waters this year, with the quota spread across a maximum of 30 vessels
The return of the giant tuna is therefore being seen as both a sign of changing marine conditions and a reminder of how warming seas are reshaping Britain’s marine ecosystem
