Applications are now open for experienced charter skippers to catch and release Atlantic bluefin tuna as part of a collaborative scientific survey.
The initiative targets Atlantic bluefin tuna — the world’s largest tuna species — to collect information on their sizes, and when and where they occur in Irish waters.
The Tuna CHART programme is a collaboration between Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Marine Institute in partnership with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
In 2025, the programme recorded a total of 288 bluefin tagged across 193 angling trips, with as many as four tagged per trip in the most successful week.
Ninety per cent of all tuna tagged were caught and released off the Donegal coast, which continues to be a hotspot for bluefins, though some fish were also tagged and released along the South and West Coasts.
Recreational angling for Atlantic bluefin tuna is technically prohibited in Ireland. Unauthorised vessels are not permitted to target or catch bluefin tuna and any unauthorised person found to be targeting bluefin tuna is liable to prosecution.
However, under the Tuna CHART programme, authorised charter vessel skippers can catch, tag and release bluefin during the open season, with the help of anglers on board.
Skippers are required to have high specification rods, reels and lines to ensure that each bluefin tuna is brought alongside the vessel for tagging in a timely manner, prior to their subsequent release.
In 2026, a maximum of 25 authorisations may be granted to qualifying angling charter vessel skippers around the Irish coast.
The Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery for 2026 will open on 1 July and close on 12 November.
Experienced charter skippers can apply to join the 2026 Tuna CHART programme until Tuesday 3 March by completing the online application form HERE.
