Reels continue to peel this tuna season

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Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by fishingvic » Fri May 26, 2017 10:12 am

Media Release
Friday 26 May 2017 | Media contact: Nick Foster: 03 8392 6254
www.vic.gov.au/fisheries

Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Recreational anglers and charter boat operators are encouraged to get out on the water and continue to enjoy chasing southern bluefin tuna as the season ramps up.
The 2017 tuna season has been an excellent one so far with reports of large schools of the prize fish moving closer to shore giving many lucky anglers the chance to reel in a big one.
Portland Fisheries Officer, Cameron McCallum, said fisheries staff from across the state will continue to carefully patrol the waters to ensure everyone is acting responsibly and enjoying the season.
“With the tuna season now in full swing we are reminding people to fish responsibly, know their limits and take only what they need so everyone has a better shot at hooking a Bluefin” Mr McCallum said.
Anglers are reminded to fully acquaint themselves with Victoria’s tuna fishing rules prior to departing:
• A daily catch limit of two southern bluefin tuna per person, which must be landed whole or in carcass form and not filleted;
• A possession limit of two whole southern bluefin tuna (or more than 160kg in any other form) per person applies anywhere in Victoria including your car, boat or home; and
• Holding a valid recreational fishing licence, unless exempt.
Mr McCallum said Fisheries staff from across the state will have a particular focus on patrolling Victoria’s southwest tuna hot spots including waters around Portland, Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
“A pair of eight metre rigid hull inflatable patrol boats and a fixed wing aircraft undertaking aerial surveillance will help officers inspect small and large vessels inshore and further afield to the continental shelf,” Mr McCallum said.
“In addition, Officers will be undertaking plain-clothed surveillance and inspections of recreational and charter boats back at launching ramps and key access points.”
Mr McCallum said the 2017 Recreational Fishing Guide outlines everything tuna anglers need to know, as does the free ‘Vic Fishing’ smartphone app.
“We are also encouraging everyone to look after their tuna catch so it arrives home in peak condition for the family dinner table.
Media Release
Friday 26 May 2017 | Media contact: Nick Foster: 03 8392 6254
www.vic.gov.au/fisheries
“That means minimising the fight time, despatching the fish humanely and taking plenty of ice aboard to chill the catch quickly.”

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by Wolly Bugger » Fri May 26, 2017 11:15 am

When I read reels continue to peel, I thought it was more about people catching barrels, Hopefully over the next few months I will have a few reels peeling off. Not sure if barrels should be catch and release though.

SBT don't reach maturity until they reach about 11 years in age, so removing barrels from the system may have an effect on breeding stock and numbers.

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by mingle » Fri May 26, 2017 12:48 pm

Yeah, bear in mind the the SBT is "critically endangered", so C&R would be worth a though.

Also, who the heck needs 2 x 15kg+ fish in their freezer? A limit of 1 per person would make a lot more sense.

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by smile0784 » Fri May 26, 2017 1:21 pm

Possession limit of 2 per boat divided by sumtimes 4 to 5 people doesnt go far.

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by purple5ive » Fri May 26, 2017 1:28 pm

smile0784 wrote:Possession limit of 2 per boat divided by sumtimes 4 to 5 people doesnt go far.
possesion limit of 2 per person, not 2 per boat

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by Wolly Bugger » Fri May 26, 2017 5:46 pm

purple5ive wrote:
smile0784 wrote:Possession limit of 2 per boat divided by sumtimes 4 to 5 people doesnt go far.
possesion limit of 2 per person, not 2 per boat
That is in Victoria, not sure about other states.

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by 4liters » Fri May 26, 2017 6:20 pm

mingle wrote:Yeah, bear in mind the the SBT is "critically endangered", so C&R would be worth a though.

Also, who the heck needs 2 x 15kg+ fish in their freezer? A limit of 1 per person would make a lot more sense.
Dunno if the recreational take makes much of an impact compared to the commercial fishery. Do fisheries keep any stats on how many are caught by recreational fishermen?
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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by re-tyred » Fri May 26, 2017 6:42 pm

4liters wrote:
mingle wrote:Yeah, bear in mind the the SBT is "critically endangered", so C&R would be worth a though.

Also, who the heck needs 2 x 15kg+ fish in their freezer? A limit of 1 per person would make a lot more sense.
Dunno if the recreational take makes much of an impact compared to the commercial fishery. Do fisheries keep any stats on how many are caught by recreational fishermen?
This has come up many times. Last time I read the SBT recovery management plan it said something along the line of:
The fish were fished down by mainly commercial fishers in the Western Pacific to approx. 5% of the original biomass.
Since the introduction of a western pacific wide quota system during the 1990s they have now recovered to 8-10%. The plan is to continue with tough quotas. It is hoped to get them to 50% within 20 years. Or something along those lines... If you want to read the exact latest it takes a lot of digging around the net. To get some perspective, the original biomass was almost unimaginably large. Australia's share of the SBT quota is a little over 5000 tonne now. The recreational catch is very small at this stage. If you stick to your bag limit and only take what you can eat, you should not feel guilty bring some in..
Same applies to almost all recreational fish. The limits are well managed and taking a feed is your right to a share in the resource. Just don't abuse it and report those that do.
There's nothing . . . absolutely nothing . . . half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats.
Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows (River Rat to Mole)

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by re-tyred » Fri May 26, 2017 6:47 pm

"Do fisheries keep any stats on how many are caught by recreational fishermen?"
Yes they do keep an eye on what recs bring in by spot checks, often by people who are not identified. i.e. employees and contractors who wander around and take notes.
Same is done by Maritime safety regarding safety compliance.
There's nothing . . . absolutely nothing . . . half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats.
Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows (River Rat to Mole)

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Re: Reels continue to peel this tuna season

Post by re-tyred » Fri May 26, 2017 6:50 pm

The estimated total weight of tuna caught and retained by recreational anglers in Victoria was about 240 tonnes (± 31 s.e.). The estimated number of boat trips by recreational anglers in Victoria where SBT was targeted was about 6200 (± 800 s.e.).
There's nothing . . . absolutely nothing . . . half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats.
Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows (River Rat to Mole)

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