Record 44-stone bluefin tuna landed at Brixham — big enough to serve 500 restaurant portions

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026.

England's largest fish market has landed its biggest ever bluefin tuna, a nine-foot, 621lb specimen caught by rod and line off the Devon coast. The fish, bought at auction by Flying Fish Seafoods, smashed Brixham's previous record by around 160lb and is large enough to supply roughly 500 portions of premium tuna. Barry Young, managing director of Brixham Trawler Agents, called it "a record-breaking fish of exceptional quality." The catch reflects a remarkable resurgence of the species in British waters over the past decade.

Defra has issued 30 commercial vessels with licences to bring ashore a modest bluefin quota following the species' return in significant numbers to the south-west coast.

Last August, Whitby, East Yorkshire, saw its first bluefin tuna brought ashore in 60 years, a sign that the recovery is now extending into the North Sea.

More than 200 bluefin have been landed at Brixham this year, with total sales exceeding 17 tonnes — and fine dining menus charge up to £45 a portion for the premium catch.