A massive bluefin tuna weighing around 320 kilos and measuring nearly two metres long was found dead on Es Copinar beach in Formentera on Wednesday morning.

The discovery was reported shortly before 12:30pm, after the Formentera Island Council received an alert through the 112 emergency service.

The Huge Tuna Was Found on the Sand

The animal was discovered stranded on the beach in the section between the lifeguard tower in front of the Riu hotel and the Bartolo beach kiosk.

Its enormous size immediately attracted attention, with the fish estimated to weigh approximately 320 kilograms and measure close to two metres in length.

The company responsible for Formentera's beach-cleaning service was subsequently called to the scene and removed the animal from the beach.

What Happened to the Tuna?

For now, the cause of death is unknown.

The Formentera Council has also said that authorities are investigating where the tuna came from and how it ended up on the island's shoreline.

At this stage, there is no confirmed explanation for the death or for the animal's presence at Es Copinar.

That means it would be premature to link the incident to fishing activity, aquaculture or any particular environmental cause.

Similar Tuna Deaths Reported Elsewhere

The Formentera discovery comes shortly after several large dead bluefin tuna were found along the coast of Alicante.

In recent weeks, beaches around the Vega Baja area have seen multiple large tuna washed ashore, including several weighing more than 300 kilos.

On August 22, three dead tuna were reportedly found around Torrevieja, while another was discovered earlier in August at Mil Palmeras in Pilar de la Horadada. Other specimens have also been removed from beaches around Orihuela.

There is currently no established connection between those incidents and the tuna found in Formentera.

Some reports have pointed to bluefin tuna fattening facilities off the Murcia coast as one possible explanation for some of the Alicante discoveries, but no common cause has been established and there is no evidence at this stage that the Formentera tuna came from one of those facilities.

Bluefin Tuna Around the Pityusic Islands

Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) are among the largest and most powerful fish found in the Mediterranean and are regularly present in the wider waters around Ibiza and Formentera.

The waters surrounding the Pityusic Islands are an important area for large pelagic species, including bluefin tuna, and are used by fishing fleets targeting the species during the Mediterranean fishing season.

The appearance of such a large specimen on a busy Formentera beach is therefore striking, but its exact origin and cause of death remain unanswered.

For now, the investigation continues.

Source: Noudiari, August 26, 2026. Additional information checked against RadioIlla and Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera.