Bigeye Tuna and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna are potential by-catches within the Atlantic Albacore Tuna fishery. Irish registered fishing vessels have a by-catch allowance for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, applicable where capture is accidental by-catch.
Ireland does not have a by-catch allowance for Bigeye Tuna. In accordance with EU Regulation (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/98 and Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013), vessels 20 m and over shall not target, retain on board, tranship, transport, transfer, process, or land Bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean.
Masters of fishing vessels 20 m and over that catch Bigeye Tuna must comply with the following requirements:
- It is prohibited to retain, tranship, or land Bigeye Tuna.
- Bigeye Tuna must be promptly returned to the sea in a way that does not harm the individual.
- All catches of Bigeye Tuna must be recorded in the fishing logbook and discarded. Discards must be recorded in the fishing logbook. Discards of Bigeye tuna must be recorded with the discard exemption code RFO in the fishing logbook (ieCatch).
Vessels under 20 m shall not target Bigeye tuna. Any incidental capture of Bigeye tuna by vessels 20 m and under must retain these catches under the landing obligation Article 15(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
