News of commercial and domestic fishing in the waters of the the Tristan da Cunha archipelago.

Administrator's March visit to Gough Island

Philip Kendall joined the Fisheries Department on a charter voyage to do camera surveys.
27-Mar-2024
Full story >>

PhD Studentship: Ecosystem Assessment of Tristan's Fisheries

The University of Exeter’s Department of Ecology and Conservation is inviting applications for a PhD studentship, fully-funded for 3.5 years.
29-Feb-2024
Full story >>

Expressions of interest invited to fish Tristan's lobster quota

Tristan da Cunha crestThe Government of Tristan da Cunha has announced that it is inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified fishing companies to fish the Tristan spiny lobster quota for up to 10 years.

Administrator Philip Kendall, commented,

"Tristan lobster has an outstanding reputation as a high quality product, from one of the most pristine marine areas on the Planet. Exceptional provenance is essential to consumers of high quality, MSC certified, sustainable lobster. The restaurants and retailers that supply consumers, value Tristan Lobster as a reliable, long-term supplier, which enables them to invest in establishing and continuing to support this premium lobster product."

James Glass, Director of Fishery added,

"as a British Overseas Territory, we are proud of the sustainable way the fishery has been scientifically managed, which means we have a proven, stable quota of approx. 440 tonnes per annum. across all four islands. In addition, with the support of the UK Government, we have improved the monitoring and enforcement of our EEZ".

Tristan da Cunha is entering an exciting phase in its development and needs to ensure it responsibly utilises its fishery to support this. Under the current arrangements, the operator fishes the quota, operates the factory on Tristan, generates electricity for the island and with their blue water fishing vessels, provides cargo and passenger access to the island from Cape Town. These arrangements have reliably operated for many years. However, the Island Council is interested to see what arrangements, including suitable alternatives might be possible over the next 5-10 years. Therefore, the Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from well-established fishing companies, with high quality vessel operations, producing responsibly caught products, in processes that are sustainable, protect the environment and safe.

Further Information

Full Details: Tristan da Cunha lobster: Expressions of interest invited to fish quota [PDF download]

Contact: For more information email concession@tristan-lobster.com.

About Tristan da Cunha: Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory located in the middle of the South Atlantic, approx. 2,800 km / 1,750 miles from Cape Town, similar to Walvis Bay, and 3,350 km / 2,000 miles from Rio de Janeiro. It is the world's remotest community and comprises four main islands: Tristan, Nightingale, Inaccessible and Gough.

Tristan Rock Lobster (Jasus tristani) Tristan Rock Lobster (Jasus tristani) is found in and around all of the Tristan islands and is marketed as Tristan Lobster. The quota for the island of Tristan da Cunha is caught by small inshore open boats operating from Tristan and processed in the onshore EU approved factory, into three main products: Lobster Tails, whole raw and Whole Cooked Lobster. Lobster from the three outer islands Inaccessible, Nightingale and Gough are caught by ocean going fishing vessels that use daughter craft. This fabulous product is sold worldwide, including the UK, European Union, Japan, and the USA.

Closure Date for Expressions of Interest: 31st March 2024.

Fishing Season Update

Chief Islander reports on the first half of the 2023/24 fishing season.
11-Jan-2024
Full story >>

Chief Islander reviews start of the 2023/24 fishing season

James Glass reports on Tristan's lobster fishery
12-Nov-2023
Full story >>