Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has announced the outcome of the 2026 bluefin tuna commercial fishery ballot. The MMO received 155 applications for 30 licence authorisations after doubling the available quota. The assessment followed guidance, anonymising applications before a panel evaluated them against published criteria. Successful applicants received a number and entered the ballot. MMO’s Head of Sustainable Fisheries, Isobel Johnston, welcomed the increased value for fishers and coastal communities, noting that demand exceeded supply and acknowledging disappointment for those not awarded licences. A Defra spokesperson said the MMO would continue to grow the fishery over the next two years and that the process aimed to fairly distribute quota in line with the Fisheries Act 2020.
© Crown copyright, 2024, GOV.UK.
Summary adapted from content licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
For details, see https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/.
Original source: https://www.gov.uk/
Made by AI. If you spot anything of concern write us at contact@cybach.com. We’ll promptly correct irregularities.