RDE 418 - Impact evaluation of bluefin tuna quota allocation

With increasing numbers of bluefin tuna (BFT) in UK waters, this project will conduct a robust, compact, and targeted evaluation of two small scale BFT fisheries - one commercial fishery trial (10 licences as of 2023), one recreational CHART (25 licences as of 2022) - focusing on the social and economic benefits these may provide to UK fishers and coastal communities. Understanding social and economic impacts or trade-offs is an important consideration under section 25 of the Fisheries Act (2020) when allocating quota. Therefore, this work should also consider benefits and challenges under differing quota allocation between commercial and recreational BFT fisheries. The work should consider how to maximise opportunities and gross value added (GVA) for the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, for a given bluefin tuna quota. Developing a quantifiable measure to allow comparison between the commercial and recreational fisheries quota is considered an essential part of this work.

This contract was awarded by Defra.