The Tuna’s Spectacular Comeback to Denmark

About 70 years ago, it was a common sight to see giant bluefin tuna splashing through Danish waters during the summer. But in the late 1950s, their food sources dwindled, and the tuna stopped coming. For many years, they were nothing but a memory. Until now.

Fishing Regulations that Work

Thanks to decades of targeted fishing regulations, populations of mackerel, herring, garfish, and other small fish have recovered significantly in the North Sea and along the Danish coasts. And with them, the top predator has returned: the bluefin tuna.

Each summer, these giants once again migrate to Danish waters, typically staying until mid-October, some even until November.

Catch & Release – with science at the core

There is no commercial tuna fishing in Denmark. Instead, DTU (Technical University of Denmark) runs a scientific project where experienced volunteer anglers help catch, tag, and safely release tuna back into the wild. The project takes place in two periods:

• August/September from Skagen
• September/October from Helsingør

After the tuna’s are caught, DTU researchers measure and tag them before releasing them. The advanced tags track the fish’ movements and transmit data via satellite, giving scientists valuable insights into their behavior.

TITAN Containers Support Research

To support DTU’s important work, TITAN Containers provides two ArcticStore refrigerated containers. These containers are used for temporary storage and handling of the tuna during tagging and examination, ensuring optimal conditions for both fish and researchers.

This collaboration is a natural extension of our mission: delivering flexible and sustainable storage solutions wherever they are needed.

A Battle with Nature’s Strongest

Catching a tuna is a true test of strength. These fish can reach up to 3 meters in length, with a similar girth, and weigh 250 kilos or more. They are incredibly powerful, often breaking fishing lines, rods, and even escaping hooks. Landing tuna can take hours of intense effort.

Our own founder, Layland Barker, has participated in the project himself:

“It took eight hours of non-stop battle before we could deliver our tuna to DTU but we made it, and it was worth every second,” he recalls with a big smile.

Witness the Fight with Giants

Want to see what it looks like when a 250-kilo tuna puts up a fight? We highly recommend watching the videos from The Tuna Union (Tunforeningen) in Denmark:

Watch the videos here https://www.tunforeningen.dk/