Written question asked by Lord Roborough (Conservative) on Monday, 14 October 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2024. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Monday, 21 October 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Tuna: Conservation

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what enforcement actions, including fines and prosecutions, the Marine Management Organisation has undertaken over the past year to protect bluefin tuna from illegal fishing; and what assessment have they made of the extent to which these enforcement actions are sufficient to comply with the UK's obligations under the rules of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

Answer: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) undertakes detailed traceability checks on the new bluefin tuna commercial fishery. MMO checks each individual fish landed where resource allows. This includes checks on purchasers of bluefin tuna including physical premises checks. Landing inspections and routine presence in ports act as a further deterrent to illegal activity. The planning, implementation and management of this fishery is in accordance with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

Secondary information