By PAUL MILLAR
THE SURPRISE return of big southern bluefin tuna after an absence of more than four decades promises a financial windfall along the region’s coastline.
Dallas D’Silva, of state recreational angling body VRFish, said accommodation was sold out at Portland during its tuna run but towns like Torquay, Barwon Heads and Lorne could cater for even more visitors seeking the prized fish.
Local anglers said they had not seen big bluefin tuna in such numbers since the 1980s.
Numerous tuna over 100kg were caught offshore between Barwon Heads and Lorne during the past week, with many boats catching multiple fish each session.
The tuna, prized in Japan as one of the world’s best sashimi fish, have been prowling waters 50m to 70m deep, around 5km to 8km offshore.
Mr D’Silva, VRFish’s general manager, said visiting anglers could begin fishing for tuna in the Geelong region instead of travelling to Portland if the region’s tuna boom continued.
“When the tuna are on in Portland it’s chockers, it’s booked out, but this could see a big change.”
Three years ago, during a quiet season, it was estimated that tuna hunters spent more than $10 million at Portland, Mr D’Silva said.
The value locally could easily be doubled, he said.
State Government studies showed that during one weekend in May 2010 fisheries staff recorded more than 500 boats setting out to catch tuna near Portland, Port Fairy and Warrnambool.
“Recreational fishers travel from all over Victoria and interstate to fish for SBT (southern bluefin tuna), which brings significant economic benefits to the region,” a report said.
But Mr D’Silva said local ramps would be unable to cope with a big rise in usage.
“The ocean-going launching facilities are inadequate at places like Torquay and Lorne and hopefully this will draw the attention of the policy-makers.”
Fishing experts struggled to explain why the tuna had returned in such size and numbers but Mr D’Silva said it could be a consequence of international commercial fishers now sticking to their quotas.
Mr D’Silva and others noted an abundance of baitfish in the region as the same time as the tuna.
Tackleworld Geelong’s Chris Pitman said the region was hosting its best tuna fishing in decades.
“There are a lot of theories why it’s happening but they seem to be following the baitfish and all the bait has moved through Bass Strait,” he said.
Anglers had also reported numerous dolphins and whales in the area.
“The whales are rounding up the bait and it’s easy feeding for the tuna,” Mr Pitman said.
Bluefin tuna mature at eight to 12 years old and can live up to 40 years.
A Japanese restauranteur bought a 223kg fish for a record price of $1.8 million in 2013.
The fish are farmed off South Australia’s Port Lincoln, where they have become a lucrative export industry.
