FH20 BFT E4 2024: Commercial Bluefin Tuna Fishing off Cornwall’s Coast

FH20_Forager’s triple hook-ups

Below is a blog post inspired by the FH20_Forager YouTube video "FH20 BFT E4 2024 - Commercial Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishing in Cornwall UK," posted on April 4, 2025. It captures the essence of the episode, integrates the 2024 commercial fishing context, and ties it to the UK’s Bluefin tuna fishery, keeping it engaging and informative for anglers and fishing enthusiasts.

FH20 BFT E4 2024: Commercial Bluefin Tuna Fishing off Cornwall’s Coast

The Atlantic Bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery in UK waters is roaring in 2024, and the FH20_Forager crew is right in the thick of it. On September 23, 2024, Day 4 of their tuna season, they set out from Cornwall, chasing giants off the Lizard’s eastern edge. Episode 4 of their YouTube series (watch here) drops you aboard the FH20_Forager for a raw, rod-and-line showdown—complete with a triple hook-up and two landed Bluefin. Here’s the breakdown of their epic day, the 2024 commercial fishery, and why this matters for Cornwall’s fishing future.

The Day: September 23, 2024

After weather kept them dockside, Day 4 dawned with promise. The FH20_Forager—a Cornwall-based commercial vessel—headed east of the Lizard, rods rigged and hopes high. The video kicks off with the crew setting out (00:00-01:04), the boat slicing through calmer seas. By 01:32, they’re “on the hunt,” scanning for signs of Bluefin—those 200-400lb beasts that have reclaimed UK waters since 2016.

Then, at 05:13, it happens: a triple hook-up. Three rods bend double as Bluefin hit hard. The fight (05:36-12:14) is a brutal ballet—reels screaming, arms burning, and the crew working in sync. Two fish make it boatside (12:15-13:31), handled with precision (13:32-17:02) under strict ICCAT rules. Back ashore (18:49-21:34), the tuna—registered as GB24900125 and GB24900126—are logged with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). It’s a 21-minute thrill ride, soundtracked by Lemon Moon’s crisp engineering (lemonmoon.nl).

The 2024 Commercial Fishery

This isn’t just a fishing trip—it’s part of the UK’s 2024 trial commercial Bluefin fishery. With a 66.15-tonne quota, 39 tonnes went to this small-scale rod-and-line effort, split among 13 vessels (up from 10 in 2023). Each boat, like FH20_Forager, gets 3 tonnes to land between July 1 and December 31, 2024. It’s a tightly regulated gig—no chumming, trips under 24 hours, and every fish tracked via ICCAT’s eBCD system. Fishing’s allowed in English and Scottish waters (not Welsh or Northern Irish), with Cornwall’s coast a prime hunting ground.

The trial’s roots go back to 2023, when 10 boats tested the waters. They didn’t max the quota, but the data—sustainability, economic impact—pushed ICCAT and the MMO to expand it for 2024. FH20_Forager’s haul proves it’s working: selective, low-impact, and profitable for coastal hubs like Newlyn.

Why Cornwall?

Bluefin vanished from UK seas in the 1990s, hammered by overfishing. Their comeback—spurred by ICCAT’s 2007 recovery plan—has them swarming Cornwall’s rich waters again, chasing mackerel and sardines. The FH20_Forager crew isn’t just landing fish; they’re part of a fishery reborn. From St. Ives to the Lizard, these tuna are a boon—and a challenge—for local handliners losing mackerel to their jaws.

The Stand-Up Fight Vibe

FH20_Forager’s video doesn’t detail technique, but rod-and-line screams stand-up fishing—think harnesses, bent-butt rods, and quads pumping. The UKBFTA’s training (ukbfta.co.uk/training) backs this: short, efficient fights (20-45 minutes for most Bluefin) keep anglers safe and fish alive if released. Here, though, it’s commercial—those two tuna hit the deck, not the water.

The Bigger Picture

Episode 4 isn’t just a fishing tale—it’s a snapshot of Cornwall’s evolving fishery. The 2024 trial’s data will shape 2025’s quota (66.15 tonnes again, with 45 tonnes commercial). FH20_Forager’s ICCAT-registered catches (GB24900125, GB24900126) feed that story—proof this can sustain jobs, feed markets, and respect stocks. Follow their Instagram (#FH20_Forager) for more.

Join the Ride

Hit up FH20_Forager’s channel (1.8K subscribers) and give Episode 4 a thumbs-up. Got a Bluefin story from Cornwall? Drop it below or tag #AtlanticBluefinTuna on X. This is UK fishing history in the making—tight lines!

This post keeps it real, weaving the video’s energy with 2024’s fishery framework, all while spotlighting Cornwall’s role. It’s primed for anglers, locals, and anyone hooked on sustainable fishing.