Bluefin tuna population recovers in UK waters after decades of decline

Bluefin tuna have returned to British waters in large numbers, according to a WWF report from 2026. The fish had almost completely disappeared from the region, but conservation efforts have brought them back. International agreements reduced how many fish could be caught. Rules about fish size and protected breeding areas also helped. Campaigns by consumers, chefs, and retailers supported these measures. The Angling Trust said the population growth was close to an "explosion." The WWF report listed bluefin tuna as one of several wildlife success stories. However, the same report found that monitored global wildlife populations have fallen by an average of 73% since 1970. The tuna recovery shows that international cooperation can restore fish populations that have been seriously depleted.