Massive bluefin tuna caught for first time in nearly a century

By Charlie Fenton

A teenager was part of a crew who landed a giant 742-pound (338kg) bluefin tuna in Whitby for the first time in 90 years.

Trainee Ada Peake, 18, was part of a remarkable piece of history on Sunday after landing the fish in the North Sea for the first time since 1939.

She helped to catch the 9.3-foot (112 inches) fish off the coast of Whitby, North Yorks., as part of a five-strong crew led by skipper Ben Shutt, 35, aboard the 12-meter inshore fishing vessel, Dominator A.

The keen fisher was on the vessel as part of her studies with 54 North Maritime Training, who form part of the Whitby Fishing School.

It took them around one hour and 50 minutes to reel it in.

The teen, who is currently studying her Level 2 Diploma in Maritime Studies – Seafishing pathway, said when she saw the tuna for the first time, "it didn't look real".

She said: "What a big fish. Finally, we actually got one – after hours of trying with rod and line.

"I have only ever heard stories of them being in the sea, so to catch one felt incredible.

"I feel very privileged to be part of the crew that has commercially landed a fish that hasn't been to market in Whitby for well over 70 years.

"I'm grateful to the Whitby Fishing School Clive and Ben the Skipper, for this wonderful opportunity to experience such a fantastic start to my career in fishing.

"I hope my experience will inspire other people to consider a career at sea in fishing."

The fish weighed 338kg when it was landed aboard the vessel, coming down to 302kg once arriving at shore.

Ben said that for Ada to be able to experience such a significant fishing event so early in her maritime career "provides a remarkable insight into where a career in the fishing industry can potentially lead".

He said: "The bluefin tuna has become one of the most talked-about developments in UK fisheries in recent years, with the return of these enormous fish generating considerable interest among fishermen, scientists, conservationists and the wider public.

"For a young person considering a career at sea, however, seeing one of these magnificent fish brought aboard is something altogether different."

A second fish was also landed a day later (Monday) by vessel owner Clive Easton, weighing 310 kg (705 lbs) as a live weight estimate.

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Bluefin tuna, traditionally known as "tunny" along the Yorkshire coast, were once a common sight in these waters.

In the 1930s, the huge fish attracted "big-game" anglers to the Yorkshire coast.

Whitby still has links to one of the most famous catches of the era, including an enormous 850lb-plus tuna landed in 1933.

But they began disappearing from the North Sea in the 1960s due to overfishing of herring, which they fed on.

However, the tuna has been making a comeback in UK waters in recent years due to an increase in herring numbers.

But commercial fishing for the tuna is strictly controlled.

The Dominator is among just 30 UK vessels authorised to target bluefin tuna during the 2026 season, using rod and reel.

It is currently the only vessel on the North East coast.

Ben said the group had been trying for the past four years to gain a license to fish for the tuna and thanked those who helped them get it.

He said: "We would like to thank the local companies that came together in support of our license application, working with Clive – the vessel owner – to bring such a huge opportunity to Whitby, which has had a history of landing big Tuna in the past."

The skipper has also revealed they have since sold the tuna to the Hook and Plate seafood merchant.

Ben said he hopes local restaurants will "take the opportunity to buy from the merchants" to give locals a chance to taste the fish.

It has since been cut up, including into bluefin tuna Sharing Steaks currently on sale for $23.96 for a regular piece and $33.31 for a large piece, according to the merchant's website.

Ben said the catch was even more magical as the skipper and crew of Dominator are former students themselves.

He said: "It is a powerful example of how knowledge within the fishing industry is passed down.

"Not simply through textbooks or formal lessons, but from one generation of fishermen to the next, on the water and in real working environments."

The University of Exeter has been monitoring bluefin tuna stock in the North Sea since 2018.

Lucy Hawkes, of the University of Exeter, who is leading the research, said their return is down to "careful and judicious management of fisheries."