It should be one of the most exciting conservation stories of our time: bluefin tuna, fished to near-oblivion half a century ago, have slowly but surely started to return to UK waters.
But instead of leaving these magnificent animals to fully recover, the government has given the fishing industry the green light to hunt and kill them again.
The environment ministry has doubled the number of commercial fishing permits this year, and announced plans to expand the fishery further. If we don’t push back now, more bluefin could get killed every year – risking their chance to fully bounce back.
These giants of the ocean are a true wonder. They can grow to the weight of two grizzly bears, cross entire oceans and live for over 20 years. And as top-tier predators, they form an important part of the marine food web.
Restoring ocean abundance means leaving species like bluefin alone – not killing them again as soon as they start to recover.
The fishing lobby is pushing hard for greater access. But we don't need to kill bluefin to benefit from their return. Bluefin tourism could bring money into coastal communities, while allowing people to see these extraodinary animals in the wild.
This is a moment of choice: repeat the mistakes of the past, or take the chance for a different future. Sign now to help show the government that British people want bluefin protected, not killed.
Photo: Rupert Kirkwood / The Lone Kayaker