The Department of the Environment, Sustainability, Heritage and Climate Change (DESHCC) has informed anglers that the open season for Bluefin tuna in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) commenced on Monday 16th June.  

A statement from the Government follows below:

Anglers are reminded that a Class K licence is required to fish for Bluefin tuna and there will be a  total allowable catch of 26 tonnes this year. The quota will be split into two parts. The first part of  the quota has been set at 23 tonnes for the period 16th June to the 25th July (unless the limit is  reached beforehand in which case the season will be temporarily closed). The 2nd part of the  quota is set at 3 tonnes and the open season will recommence on the 6th August up to the 14th of  October (unless limit is reached beforehand in which case the season will be closed). 

A dedicated landing station has once again been set up within the North Mole (No. 1 Jetty).  Anglers are reminded that all tuna and billfish catches must be reported and weighed at the  landing point where vessels will be able to dock. Towing live specimens into the landing station is  strictly prohibited and may result in licences being revoked. The landing point will be manned from  09:00 to 14:30 (Monday-Saturday). Any catches landed from 14:30 to sunset must also be  reported and weighed at the landing point by contacting the on-call landing point staff on mobile  number 54020033. This service will also be operational on Sundays and public holidays. 

In order to better assess Bluefin tuna fishing activity in BGTW, landing point staff must be  contacted as soon as a vessel catches a Bluefin tuna. Details on vessel movements, based on  geographical coordinates, may be requested by the DESHCC’s Environmental Protection &  Research Unit (EPRU). A maximum number of 1 fish per day per licence holder and vessel will be  permitted. The minimum size of Bluefin tuna that can be caught is 30kgs and 130cm fork length.  Anglers are also required to report any recreational catches of Billfish species, such as the  Mediterranean Swordfish, which are locally classified as Species in Need of Strict Protection. The  minimum size for Mediterranean Swordfish is 90 cm excluding the sword length. Further  information on minimum sizes can be found online by accessing the Department’s Species  Identification Booklet.  

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/uploads/environment/Marine/Fisheries_Identification_Sheet_V2.pdf 

The DESHCC would also like to remind anglers that the practice of ‘popping’ for tuna, which has been known to cause serious injury to dolphins, will not be allowed inside the Dolphin Protection  Zone approximately north of Rosia Bay. Anglers targeting Bluefin tuna are advised that casting  any lines close to dolphins, which are protected species, may result in their fishing licences being  revoked. 

The EPRU will once again be working very closely with marine enforcement agencies during the  open season in order to monitor vessel activity in BGTW and ensure that the requirements of the  Tuna Preservation Regulations are adhered to. As part of its duties, the EPRU will be emphasising  the need to adhere to the Cetacean Protocol. The objective of the Protocol is to protect dolphins  and whales in BGTW. It can be viewed online from: 

https://thinkinggreen.gov.gi/uploads/docs/2018-Cetacean_Protocol.pdf 

Vessels are required to maintain a minimum distance of 60 metres from any dolphin or whale  whilst navigating in BGTW. The Protocol also establishes a 500 metre radius from the animals  within which vessels must travel at a constant speed of no more than 4 knots or no greater than  the slowest animal in the group.