Giant two-metre long fish found stranded near Thorney Island Sailing Club

Following reports of a ‘large stranded fish’, the Chichester Harbour Conservancy staff located and recovered the fish and sought assistance from the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) to help identify and recover it.

The two metre long creature of the deep was identified as an Atlantic Bluefin tuna. Rare to these shores the 180kg fish had to be winched onboard the IFCA’s patrol vessel ‘Watchful’ where it could be taken for analysis.

After taking tissue and bone samples scientists concluded that the fish had only recently died and showed no signs of damage.

Chief fisheries and conservation officer, Tim Dapling, said: ‘This is a very unusual and positive event in terms of fisheries the marine environment and the

presence of a key species. Although it is a pity the fish was not alive, it is first time we have an encountered at close quarters a Bluefin tuna specimen in Sussex coastal waters.

‘There are various reports of Bluefin tuna in the wider Channel area and we know they are regularly sighted further to the west off Devon and Cornwall. It was a quite remarkable and impressive fish, why it was in Chichester Harbour or came ashore may never be clear.’

Atlantic Bluefin tuna is the largest tuna species and can reach up to 3 metres in length and weigh over 600kg.

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