The first landing this year of line-caught Cornish tuna took place yesterday after fishermen returned from their foray into the fishing grounds 200 miles from Land's End.
Two boats, the Nova Spero and the Ben Loyal, came back to Newlyn with more than 1,000 highly prized Albacore tuna on board, ready to sell to the highest bidder. But despite being the third most commonly consumed fish in the UK the vessels are struggling to sell all of their catches to the home market at a price that is economically viable. As a result more than half the catch will be sold in France.
Nathan de Rozarieux, of the organisation Seafood Cornwall, which has helped the vessels with marketing catches, said things were changing slowly.
"We are gradually seeing more interest from restaurateurs and retailers year on year and the public can help accelerate this market growth in the UK by trying it when they go out for a meal or making a point of asking for it when at the local fish monger or supermarket."
The Nova Spero was under the command of Shaun Edwards and the Ben Loyal was skippered by Quentin Knights. A medical emergency on board the Ben Loyal was dealt with thanks to the help of the Spanish tuna fishing fleet, which has a medical ship in support. Mr Knights said that the Spanish could not have been more helpful.
This year will be the fifth season that Cornish vessels have fished alongside a fleet of Spanish tuna boats and is being hailed as a firm break from the past and the acrimonious Tuna Wars of the 1990s when the Spanish were accused of attacking Cornish vessels using drift nets.
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for more information about Cornish Tuna visit the website www.cornishtuna.com