Scientists and fishermen celebrate return of bluefin tuna

Pascoe said catches were changing.

“We’re losing traditional species farther north with climate change and we’ve got these sort of species coming behind, tuna not directly linked, but octopus and bream species coming through,” he said.

“So we have to make sure that we get the management right of these new species because, if we don’t, there’s nothing else for us to catch.”

Brixham fish merchant Ian Perkes said there was a cost to the larger tuna population.

He said: “Tuna eat about 20% of their body weight per day, so your average 200kg [440lb] tuna per week, well, you can imagine.

“It’s an awful lot of fish that we’re missing, the sardines, mackerel and herrings.

“If the tuna stay, of course it will increase the revenue for all – the fishermen, the fish merchants and the town.

“It’s a shot in the arm for us, which is brilliant.

“I’m a firm believer they’re here for feed, so all the time there’s something for them to eat, I’m pretty sure they’ll stay.”