A common misconception about tuna is that they are small fish that can fit into typical supermarket cans. However, in reality, some tuna species can grow to immense sizes.
Tuna consumed in the UK mainly comes from five types: albacore, bigeye, bluefin, skipjack, and yellowfin. The skipjack variety, which is the most widely available, is generally small, with rare specimens exceeding 10kg in weight.
On the other hand, the western Atlantic bluefin tuna, the larger relative of skipjack, is known to be massive. A recent resurgence of a photo depicting the largest Atlantic bluefin tuna ever caught has been circulating on social media, showing the colossal fish dwarfing the fisherman who captured it.
In October 1979, Ken Fraser hooked an enormous Atlantic bluefin off Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, weighing a remarkable 1,496 pounds (about 679 kilograms). This record-breaking catch, achieved with the assistance of Capt. Eric Samson aboard Lady and Misty from Port Hood, Nova Scotia, remains unbeaten to this day.
The capture of this gigantic fish involved a strenuous 45-minute battle before Ken successfully gaffed the record-holder as it took the baited mackerel. Ken recounted the event in his book “Possessed,” mentioning the unexpected turn of events that led to him being in the fishing chair and eventually landing the world record tuna.
After drying out on the boat for approximately 10 hours, the 12-foot tuna was officially weighed, although its live weight was likely significantly higher. Ken’s record has stood for over 45 years, with recent reports of another colossal Atlantic bluefin caught in British waters.
Ian Perkes, a Devon fish wholesaler, secured a 210kg (463lb) bluefin tuna at Brixham fish market in October, further confirming the presence of these large fish in British waters. According to Ian, the recent sightings of bluefins in the area indicate a notable increase in their presence, with one of the largest specimens ever landed at Brixham Market.
The sheer size of these fish often causes disturbances in the sea, noticeable by the frothing of water. The eastern Atlantic stock of tuna, commonly seen in UK and Irish waters, originates from the Mediterranean Sea and migrates northwards, with a reported growth of over 20% in the past four decades.
While these fish were last seen in such numbers off the Devon coast in the early 1950s, recent sightings suggest a resurgence of the population in the area. Despite not revealing the fisherman’s identity who caught the massive tuna, Ian mentioned that the catch was made using a rod and line from a relatively small boat, highlighting the skill of the local fishermen.