Wales celebrates first commercial bluefin landings
Five bluefin tuna landed in Milford Haven have been sold locally, marking progress towards sustainable Welsh fishing
Five bluefin tuna landed at Milford Haven have been processed and sold locally for the first time, marking a significant milestone in efforts to establish a sustainable Welsh bluefin tuna fishery.
The fish were caught earlier this month under a commercial-scientific trial introduced by the Welsh Government, designed to gather valuable data while exploring opportunities for the development of a future fishery.
The tuna were transported to Burry Port for processing, with most sold directly to the public at a Saturday walk-in fish market. Remaining portions, including fins, frames and heads, were distributed through a nationwide home delivery service, making the catch available to customers across the UK.
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.”
The trial allows participating fishers to target bluefin tuna in designated areas of the Welsh zone, provided they use rod and reel equipment, land catches at Milford Haven or Holyhead and submit detailed information about their fishing activity.
Teddy Whitall, managing director of Whitfish, which bought and sold the fish, 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.”
The trial operates separately from the UK’s existing commercial and recreational bluefin tuna fisheries, using a separate allocation of the 2026 quota.
Fishers are hopeful of further landings in the coming weeks, weather permitting, as the initiative gathers data to help inform the future management of the fishery.
