Bluefin tuna: a powerful, migratory giant off the coast of Vendée

The Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is one of the largest pelagic fish in our seas and one of the most impressive predators in the Bay of Biscay. From July to October, when the waters warm up, it crosses the Vendée coast in fast and powerful schools, offering a rare spectacle to both fishermen and recreational boaters. It can be observed off the coasts of Les Sables-d'Olonne, Noirmoutier, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, and the Île d'Yeu, where sardines, mackerel, and sand eels are plentiful. A marine athlete par excellence, the bluefin tuna has a streamlined body, dark metallic skin, a crescent-shaped tail fin, and impressive musculature that allows it to reach speeds exceeding 70 km/h. A true schooling hunter, it coordinates its movements to drive prey towards the surface, creating spectacular hunting scenes that are often spotted thanks to diving birds.

A migratory species, the bluefin tuna travels thousands of kilometers each year between the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic, and the Sargasso Sea. In the Vendée region of France, its seasonal presence is a highlight of the sport fishing season. The fish feed actively on sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and squid, taking advantage of the currents and the abundance of marine life on the Vendée continental shelf. Despite its power and legendary status, its fishing remains heavily regulated: the bluefin tuna experienced a critical period of overfishing, and the strict quotas established by the ICCAT have allowed for a gradual recovery of the populations. Today, the majority of Vendée fishermen favor catch-and-release sport fishing, which allows them to experience intense battles while preserving the resource.

Bluefin tuna fishing involves various techniques, each offering a unique experience. Chumming (drifting) is the most subtle and traditional approach: the boat drifts slowly while chopped sardines or mackerel attract the fish, sometimes allowing anglers to observe the tuna beneath the boat before a strike. Casting during feeding frenzies provides the most spectacular experience: when a feeding frenzy erupts on the surface, the angler casts stickbaits, poppers, or jigs into the churning water, triggering visible and lightning-fast attacks. Trolling or vertical jigging from a boat complete the options, depending on the conditions. Regardless of the technique, this fish demands extremely robust equipment and strict adherence to regulations, as the majority of fish are released after scientific tagging.