Tuna championships 'economic boom' for Cornwall

Bluefin tuna can grow up to 10ft long

A tuna catch-and-release championships will be a "boom for the Cornish economy", its organiser has said.

The championships will be held in Falmouth from 4 to 6 September, with anglers from all over the world looking to catch bluefin tuna at Falmouth Harbour.

Organisers said there would be live leader board, as well as entertainments and question-and-answer sessions about the fish, which can be 10ft (3m) long and weigh more than 1,000lbs (455kg).

Organiser Tim Macpherson said he could not "emphasise enough how passionate we are" about the fish and the importance of its welfare.

The event will take place at Falmouth Harbour

It will be the second year the event will take place.

He said there would be about 30 boats which could take three to four anglers out to sea.

He said: "A lot of these people are travelling from all sorts of places. They're staying in Airbnbs in Falmouth and the surrounding district, they're having meals in pubs and restaurants, etc.

"There's a big economic benefit that these fish are bringing to Cornwall in the recreational fishery.

"It's a boom for the Cornish economy. People love seeing them. They're incredible fish.

"I can't emphasise enough how passionate we are about looking after these fish."

Mr Macpherson said it was important not to harm the fish.

"We do try and emphasise all the time, the uppermost in all of our minds is the welfare of the fish.

"We want to make sure these fish aren't harmed and there's lots of protocols in place to make sure that happens."