Introduction

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Defra are launching a bluefin tuna (BFT) catch and release recreational fishery (CRRF) for permitted vessels, which will take place in English waters. The fishery will be open between 18 July to 30 November 2025.

Detailed information can be accessed here (opens in new tab).

To be eligible to apply you must:  

• Be the owner of a vessel registered in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
• Have a vessel 5 metres or greater in overall length and powered by an engine/motor.
• Use rod and reel fishing gears only. No chumming will be permitted.
• Not have secured a 2025 permit for the UK commercial BFT fishery trial, or any other UK bluefin tuna catch and release recreational fishery.

How to complete and submit the application:

You will need the following information before starting the application:

• Vessel details including: name, length, UKSR number, small commercial vessel certificate number (if applicable), external hull registration markings
• Vessel Owner details including: name, postal address, email address, phone number, names and contact details of any additional owners associated with the vessel
• The UK Ships Register (UKSR) certificate of the vessel.
• A photograph of the vessel displaying external registration marking on the hull to allow for identification.
• If your vessel is used for charter fishing trips, you will need to provide a copy of your Small Commercial Vessel Certificate (SCV2). The SCV2 must relate to the vessel within your application and must be valid to 30 November 2025.

Applications must be completed on an individual vessel basis. If an applicant owns more than one vessel, and wants to apply for more than one permit, separate applications will be required for each vessel.

When completing this form, you should: 

• Answer all required questions. Incomplete applications forms will not be considered.
• Understand that it is your responsibility to check you have submitted all necessary evidence. In the event you fail to submit all evidence in your application, you must fully complete a new application before the deadline.
• If you have any problems completing this application form, please contact the UK Single Issuing Authority (UKSIA) at BFT.Recreational@marinemanagement.org.uk

For your application to be considered, all evidence must be attached to the application form (up to 4 documents can be attached). If you fail to attach the necessary evidence your application will not be considered further.

MMO will not perform form completion checks until the application deadline has passed. If you identify that you have failed to submit all evidence in your application, you must fully complete a new application before the deadline.

Applications are open from 16 April and will close at midnight on Sunday 18 May 2025. Applications received after this period will not be considered. 

Complaints and disputes process

For any complaints please contact the MMO using the published customer (opens in new tab) complaints procedure (opens in new tab). (opens in new tab)

How your data will be handled:

MMO Data Privacy Notice: Personal information charter (opens in new tab) - (opens in new tab) Marine Management (opens in new tab)

Organisation (opens in new tab) - (opens in new tab) GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (opens in new tab)

Section 1: Vessel Details