Two incidents of Atlantic bluefin tuna re-tagging are noteworthy. The first bluefin was originally tagged and freed by Captain Adrian Molloy in Donegal Bay on the 2nd of October, 2020. The same fish was recaptured three years later, on September 11th, 2023, off the northeast coast of Spain.
The second Bluefin was first tagged and left to the sea by Captain Tony Santry off the Kerry coast on August 23rd, 2023, and then re-tagged after it was found 22 days later on the west coast of France on September 14th, 2023. In three weeks, this bluefin travelled 750km.
Dr. William Roche from Ireland’s Inland Fisheries stated, “Atlantic bluefin tuna are oceanic titans and a must-catch for many fishermen. This is the first time in the programme’s five-year history that two retags have been documented, out of over 1,600 tagged fish.
Up until now, 1,619 bluefin tuna have been tagged along Ireland’s northwest, west, and south coasts since the kick-off of the Tuna Chart initiative – a governmental multi-agency research project – in 2019.
Recreational fishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna is generally banned in Ireland. Nevertheless, authorised charter skippers under the Tuna Chart initiative can catch, tag, and then release powerful tuna during the open season, assisted by on-board “citizen scientists”.
This data-intensive fishery focuses on the largest tuna species to gather details about their size, and when and where they frequent in Irish waters. The fishing period for Bluefin tuna ends on November 12th.
The most massive tuna tagged under this initiative measured 2.75 metres in length and weighed an approximate 372kg. During 2022, 382 Atlantic bluefin tuna were captured, given tags, and released along the coasts of Ireland by authorised skippers.
Skippers are willing to lend their knowledge to aid this initiative and have permission to invoice fishermen for excursions to hunt Bluefin tuna on their vessels.
Tagging and releasing Bluefin occurs in the water beside the ship, which moves slowly at a pace of 2-3 knots, ensuring that the fish remains in an optimum condition.
Bluefin are typically found in an area expanding about 1km to approximately 20km from the shore. Fishpal is actively working towards promoting recreational fishing tourism. An acclaimed single and double-handed casting educator, Glenda Powell, has taken up the mantle as a representative for Fishpal. She expressed her confidence in Fishpal in making significant progress in the Irish market and creating additional opportunities for recreational fishing tourism for Ireland. She firmly believes that Fishpal can enhance not just local but also international awareness of what Ireland’s fisheries and the country as a whole have to offer.
The new fishing season has commenced with the Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association announcing an annual membership fee of €50 for the year 2024. Subscriptions can be paid through a mailed cheque or postal order to Eamonn Ross, located at Ardlougher, Ballyconnell, in County Cavan. Ned Clinton and Paddy Lyons are also handling enrolments this year. Fishing in the Ulster lakes on Sheelin is scheduled for April 20th, with a charge of €60 for boating and €80 for non-boating, inclusive of a meal. Consult with Eamonn Ross by March 18th if you are interested in participating under the Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association banner.