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 13 July to 30 November 2026.Detailed information can be accessed here (opens in new tab).

Eligibility:-

• Your vessel must not be less than 5 metre in overall length and must be powered by an engine/motor.

• You must be the owner of a vessel registered in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Evidence will be required.

• If your vessel is used for charter fishing trips, you must hold a valid Small Commercial Vessel Certificate (SCV). You will be required to submit evidence of the certificate.

Applicants cannot hold more than one bluefin tuna (BFT) permit for the same vessel in a single season. If you are successful in this permit process, you cannot: 

• hold a BFT CRRF permit issued by another UK fisheries administration for the same vessel, or 

• hold a permit for the 2026 UK commercial BFT fishery for the same vessel.

• If you are successful with an offer of a MMO BFT CRRF permit, you agree to complete both the Angling Trust accredited online and in person mandatory training before permit is issued. See mandatory training section.  

• Only apply if you intend to use the permit. This will be monitored, failure to actively use the permit and/or report all activity to the MMO will result in the MMO revoking the permit and potentially future BFT applications being rejected.

• Submit a complete application with all the required information before the submission deadline. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the completeness of their application.

How to complete and submit the application:

You will need the following information before starting the application:

• Full vessel details

• Full vessel Owner details.

• The UK Ships Register (UKSR) certificate of the vessel.

• For Charter vessels a valid SCV certificate

• 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.

• It is your responsibility to check you have submitted all necessary evidence. If MMO contact you in regard to an incomplete or anomaly within your application, it is your responsibility to address the issue within the time requested. Failing to do so will result in your application being rejected.

• If you have any issues 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.

Successful applicants will be asked to undertake the mandatory BFT training accredited by Angling Trust which consists of both online and in person training. This training must be completed by those that will be onboard and responsible for the vessel and the activity during each BFT CRRF trip. Upon completing the training successfully and training certificate issued, the MMO will issue the applicant with a permit.  

Both sets of Angling Trust accredited training must be completed before you receive your permit, otherwise your permit offer could be reallocated. The Angling Trust training is approximately £450 per person. No other training will be a valid alternative.

Applications will close at 23:59 on Monday 13 April 2026. Applications received after this period will not be considered.

It is likely that MMO will receive more applications than the number of CRRF permits available. MMO will prioritise charter vessel demand and private vessel applications will undergo a random ballot selection.

MMO reserves the right to remove a permit at any point if permit terms or conditions are not being adhered to.

Complaints and disputes process

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

How your data will be handled:  

MMO Data Privacy Notice: Personal information charter (opens in new tab) [-]   Organisation (opens in new tab) [-]

Section 1: Vessel Details