Jersey’s Sole Bluefin Tuna Fisherman Lands First Catch

Jersey’s only commercial fisherman licensed to catch and sell bluefin tuna has landed his first fish under the island’s new commercial licence scheme.

Fisherman Shetty Chavan caught the tuna on 25 July, after several days of searching the waters around Jersey for the highly migratory species.

“It’s a great feeling,” Chavan said, explaining that the fish had moved closer to his boat after he had missed several earlier opportunities.

“The next day, yeah, quite lucky. The fish was closer and it wasn’t that difficult,” he said.

This year was the first time Jersey fishermen were able to apply for a commercial bluefin tuna licence through the UK’s quota system. Six island fishermen applied, but only Chavan secured a licence through a government-run lottery.

While delighted to have been successful, Chavan said he was disappointed that more Jersey fishermen had not been awarded licences.

He also criticised the application process, saying it had been difficult to understand and navigate.

Jersey officials have previously said they would prefer the island to manage its own commercial bluefin tuna quota in the future. They argue that local management would allow licences to be better suited to Jersey’s fishing fleet.

A UK government spokesperson said it recognised concerns raised in Jersey and was “working closely with the Government of Jersey regarding the future management of the fishery”.

Chavan’s first catch was sold this week at Co-op Grand Marché stores and Ugly Oysters at Grève de Lecq. In keeping with a promise he made when applying for the licence, he donated the proceeds to the Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA).

“I thought if I get my bluefin licence, I decided the first fish I catch, the profit will go to charity,” he said.

Chavan said catching bluefin tuna remained challenging because the fish could travel considerable distances in a short time. Large numbers had initially been spotted in local waters before moving away, with some entering Guernsey waters where he was unable to fish.

He plans to continue tracking the fish in the hope of bringing more bluefin tuna to Jersey’s local market.

“I’m trying hard to keep going basically,” he said.