553t albacore quota 2026
UK confirms 553‑tonne North Atlantic albacore quota for 2026
Allocation and access
The UK has been allocated 553 tonnes of North Atlantic albacore (stock ALB/AN05N) for the 2026 fishing season. Fisheries records show nine licences issued to UK operators for North Atlantic albacore activity in 2026, concentrating effort from the English Channel and south‑west approaches out toward the Western Approaches and Isles of Scilly.
Implications for charter skippers
Charter skippers face a limited pool of legal access. With nine licensed operations, skippers and charter operators should plan landing strategies, logbooks and per‑trip allocations in advance. Early bookings for April are advised, especially from ports such as Newlyn, Plymouth and Lymington, where spring albacore arrivals are often first encountered.
Tackle choices and tactics
Anglers targeting spring albacore should rig medium‑to‑heavy outfits: a strong trolling rod paired with a multiplier reel loaded with 30–50 lb braided line and a shock leader. Typical trolling speeds of 6–10 knots work well; spreads of lures and small skirts or feathers 20–60 metres behind the transom are effective. Expect water temperatures in April around 10–12°C off Cornwall, with surface feeding schools often near thermoclines at depths of 10–50m.
Planning an April tuna trip
April trips require flexibility: monitor sea surface temperature charts, bird activity and local sonar. Book charter dates well ahead, confirm quota handling and landing procedures with the skipper, and prepare safety kit for early spring conditions. Ports from Devon to Dorset remain practical departure points for anglers seeking albacore on UK waters.
Recommended: 30lb braided line