UK Bluefin Tuna "Catch & Release" Championships 2025 lands at Falmouth Harbour this September
by Louise Midgley 13 Aug 18:02 UTC
4-6 September 2025
A bluefin tuna leaping to catch a garfish in the waters off the coast of Cornwall © Aaron Barrett @abwatershots
The thrill of tuna fishing hits British waters once again as the UK Bluefin Tuna Championships 2025 return to Falmouth Harbour from 4 - 6th September, bringing together over 200 anglers and more than 30 boats for a "Catch & Release" fishing competition.
Held in one of the UK's most iconic fishing destinations, this event is fast becoming the headline tournament in the catch-and-release sportfishing calendar. With strictly regulated sustainable practices, anglers will track, catch and release Atlantic bluefin, one of the ocean's most prized predators.
Falmouth Harbour will become a hub of fishing, entertainment and conservation. The waterfront will host a live leaderboard, marquee, bar and sponsor exhibits. On Friday night, the marquee hosts a Q&A with ex-England rugby legends Tom Croft, Dean Richards and Mike Teague who are all competing in the competition, while Saturday night will culminate in the prize-giving ceremony.
"This championship captures the spirit of bluefin tuna fishing, skill and teamwork - all underpinned by a deep respect for our marine environment," says Sam Narbett one of the event's organisers. "We're proud to operate a strict catch-and-release format and honoured to work alongside our supporters to deliver a great experience."
All skippers of vessels competing are required to have a bluefin tuna recreational fishing permit issued by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The welfare of the fish is of paramount importance and to maintain the high standards required in the fishery all skippers will need to have taken part in an accredited training course before the event. To ensure this high standard is met the organisers have arranged for a skippers' training day to take place prior to the Tournament. This training covers all aspects of the recommended fishing techniques including tackle, handling and recovering the fish for safe release.
In addition to this the skippers and anglers will be required to adhere to the Bluefin Recreational Catch and Release fishery Code of Practice issued by the MMO.
Environmental responsibility is central to the Championships' mission. All bluefin tuna brought to the boats are measured and recorded under verified GPS tracking protocols using the established Angling Live app to record the fish captures. Competitors will also be encouraged to take part in a beach clean.
The event is committed to eliminating single-use plastics and promoting sustainable boating practices - Sponsor Suzuki has its Clean Ocean Project which includes integrating micro-plastic collecting devices into some of their outboard motors, which are designed to collect plastic waste from the water while the motor is in operation. A number of competitors have these engines fitted to their boats. In addition a fully electric boat will be in use throughout the tournament by the Competition Marshalls and the media team.
Falmouth Harbour's Commercial Operations Manager Tristan Rowe says, "We are happy to host the UK Bluefin Tuna "Catch & Release" Championships back here for 2025, from our marina and quayside facilities. We have been able to work with the organisers to help make sure the event continues in its drive towards education on best practices and standards of equipment, which will serve to maintain the stocks of these amazing creatures.
"Witnessing bluefin tuna feeding in our local waters is becoming one of the most memorable and exhilarating on-the-water experiences and one we want people to able to witness for as long as the Tuna keep returning. Along with the organisers' efforts to mitigate environmental impact, Falmouth Harbour will also be providing a fishing line bin on the quay to promote and facilitate recycling of waste and discarded line."
The UK once had a thriving tuna fishery but numbers declined mainly due to overfishing of the Bluefin tuna themselves and the many species of baitfish which are their main food source. Many years of protection and conservation at a global level, overseen by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have seen the remarkable fish back in huge numbers around the British coast for around five months of the year since 2016.
The benefits of the Catch and Release Recreational Fishery reach beyond the charter vessels and data reports, with just 25 boats in 2022 generating a Total Economic Impact of £2.6 million, according to a DEFRA/Cefas study.
This year's UK Bluefin Tuna "Catch & Release" Championships are powered by an impressive roster of sponsors:
- Headline Sponsor: Rec Com: delivering tournament-grade tackle from Bridle Buddy, Zacattack and Diamond Fishing
- Partner Sponsors: Suzuki Marine, Raymarine
- Supporting Sponsors: Shimano, Tuna Gear, Mustang Survival, Icey Tek, Leadertec
- Supporters: RBS Marine, Rodman Boats, Angling Live, Falmouth Harbour, the Angling Trust, Exeter University, SCBI
You can follow the 2025 Championships on Facebook ukbluefintunachampionships or Instagram @ukbluefintunachampionships.