'Success story' hailed as bluefin tunas caught off Yorkshire for first time since 1960s
Researchers laud return of giant tuna to North Sea after being fished almost to point of extinction
TL;DR
- Two giant bluefin tunas were caught off the coast of Yorkshire, the first in over 60 years.
- Their return is seen as a success story for marine conservation and fisheries management.
- Populations were previously fished close to extinction in the Mediterranean.
- Careful protection has allowed stocks to increase and spread back to old grounds, including the UK and Baltic Sea.
- Other marine life like minke whales and bottlenose dolphins have also increased in the North Sea.
- Rising North Sea temperatures, linked to climate change, may also be a factor in the tuna's return.
- Continued survival depends on consistent care and British fishing policies prioritizing marine ecology.
- Experts hope tuna populations can thrive in UK waters and potentially move into Scottish waters.