A bluefin tuna spotted amongst a pen of farmed salmon has been released back into the sea.
The tuna invaded a fish farm off Great Bernera in Loch Roag, Lewis.
Weighing an estimated 300kg (47-stone) the huge fish was about fifty times bigger than the salmon swimming about in the pens.
The Atlantic bluefin was safely captured by fish farm workers and returned to the open water.
The invader is thought to have burst through the pen’s netting at high speed, chasing mackerel. Divers quickly fixed the slash it caused. Tuna can reach speeds over 40mph.
Scottish Salmon Company which operates the fish farm said: “A small tear was identified in the net which was made when the tuna entered at speed.
“This was quickly repaired and no fish escaped.”
Shoals of tuna have been spotted off the Hebrides in recent years, thought to be the result of warmer seas and climate change.
Bluefin tuna breaks into Lewis salmon farm
22 October 2020