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Bluefin tuna return to Yorkshire
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Bluefin tuna returned to Yorkshire waters after 60 years, with a 746lb fish caught off Whitby.
The return signals a marine conservation success and boosts local fishing and tourism.
Background
Bluefin tuna were once common off the Yorkshire coast, attracting celebrities like John Wayne in the 1930s, but disappeared by the 1960s due to overfishing and depletion of herring. Recent conservation efforts by international bodies like ICCAT have helped populations recover, leading to their return. Researchers from the University of Exeter have tagged several fish to study their migration and inform future management.
How it unfolded
- 1930sScarborough was a famous big game fishing destination, with celebrities catching bluefin tuna.
- 1960sBluefin tuna disappeared from the North Sea due to overfishing and herring depletion.
- Aug 17, 2026University of Exeter researchers tagged five bluefin tuna off Whitby.
- Aug 18, 2026First bluefin tuna caught and landed in Yorkshire in an estimated 60 years.
- Aug 19, 2026A 746lb bluefin tuna was caught off Yorkshire; researchers hailed the return as a 'success story'.
Who’s saying what
- Researchers
- The return is a 'fantastic' success story, thanks to careful fisheries management.
- Conservationists
- The return indicates healthier marine ecosystems, with minke whales and dolphins also increasing.