SOUTHERN BLUEFIN TUNA Code of Practice - Recreational Fishery
Information for responsible catching, handling, releasing and tagging of Southern Bluefn Tuna. Photo: Al McGlashan Al Photo:
Research by: Funded by: Recreational fshers can each play a part in improving the Southern Bluefn Tuna fshery by applying best practices for responsible fshing. Applying best practice considers the welfare of individual fsh and minimises impacts on fsh stocks. This Code of Practice has been developed based on scientifc research specifc to the recreational Southern Bluefn Tuna fshery, existing science based literature on the impacts of recreational fshing and consultation with peak recreational fshing groups.
There is no legislative requirement to follow codes of practice; rather they are designed to provide fshers with fact-based information required to fsh in a responsible way. Taking the time to read, learn and apply the information in this document will improve the recreational fshing experience for everyone.
Catching Southern Bluefn Tuna
Southern Bluefn Tuna (SBT) are a large fsh with those Consideration of the type of hook you use can caught by recreational fshers typically weighing 10 – minimise damage to the fsh. J hooks on trolled 50 kg, although it is not uncommon to catch fsh in lures cause far less damage than treble hooks. excess of 100 kg. Is your fshing gear up to the job? Circle hooks should be used when bait fshing for Are you using gear that will minimise impacts to the SBT. fsh? Are there things you can do to avoid degrading the quality of the fesh if you plan to keep it for eating, It is a simple process to replace treble hooks on hard or improve the fsh’s chance of survival if you plan to body lures with single hooks. This will substantially release it? reduce the damage to the fsh, improve its welfare and increase its chance of surviving if it is released. Minimising the time it takes to retrieve a fsh to the boat will reduce the stress it experiences. Research has shown that a majority of fsh caught when trolling lures are hooked in the mouth. So for Just like when a human exercises, lactic acid and trolling, J hooks are fne. When bait fshing however, stress hormones accumulate in the blood and muscle the fsh has more time to swallow a foating bait tissue. Not only does this lessen the quality of the resulting in potential for deep hooking. Circle hooks fesh if you are planning to keep the fsh to eat, but have been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of fsh that are released after long fght times may take deep hooking. longer to recover.
Fight time can be reduced by using a heavier line class, buying a good quality rod and reel that is up to the job and educating yourself on good fshing techniques.
Using heavier line is the best way to reduce fght times for smaller SBT. For larger fsh a combination of heavier line and angling-boat driving experience is required. There are many experienced game fshers Minimising predation of hooked fsh who can give tips on improving fshing techniques as well as instructional videos online. For any large fsh a Hooked fsh have a reduced ability to avoid gimbal and harness is essential to help you control the predation. Interactions between hooked SBT rod and reel. Joining a fshing club that is associated and seals are relatively common in Tasmania, and with the Game Fishing Association of Australia is a anecdotally, interactions have occured in SA and great way to meet experienced anglers and receive Victoria.Whether you plan to keep or release the information on responsible fshing practices. fsh minimising predation interactions is a good idea. Seals learn quickly and rewarded behaviour will increase interactions. Photo: Al McGlashan Avoid fshing in areas where predators are in high abundance. Never feed a predator, including fsh carcasses after fllleting. Minimise fght time to reduce the possibility of a predation.
Seals will learn to associate boats with a feed. If a predation occurs move away from the area before you resume fshing. Avoid releasing fsh in areas where predators are present, particularly if the fsh 1 was chased during retrieval to the boat. J hooks on trolled lures cause less damage than treble hooks. Circle hooks should be used when bait fshing for SBT.
Photo: Sean Tracey
Handling Southern Bluefn Tuna
Whether you plan to retain or release a fsh, it is going to keep and ensure that you have everything important to consider how you handle it. Poor you need to process and store the fsh appropriately, handling can affect the welfare of the animal, including space in the fridge or freezer at home. reduce its chance of survival if released and Only take enough fsh to accommodate what you affect fesh quality if you plan to keep it to eat. need. Avoiding fsh wastage is a crucial part of being a responsible fsher. Retaining fsh Bluefn Tuna are an iconic species regarded around Recreational fshing surveys the world for their high quality fesh, particularly for the raw fsh (sashimi) market. This high demand Recreational catch is determined by specially has led to commercial overfshing, but stocks are designed surveys. These surveys are used regularly currently rebuilding under strict international fshing across many recreational fsheries to provide data management arrangements. Recreational fshers in for sustainable management. A survey method to Australia have the opportunity to enjoy this highly assess the recreational catch of Southern Bluefn prized species whether it is to catch and release or Tuna is currently being designed. So if you are serve up quality seafood. Recreational fshing effort invited to join a survey your participation will help has been increasing as the stocks rebuild. With this to ensure that fsh stocks are being managed in mind SBT should be treated with respect and effectively. regulations adhered to.
Know the regulations before you head out fshing, Bring the fsh aboard carefully, trying to avoid they may be different in each state. Think about damaging the fsh as bruising will affect the quality the quantity of fsh you need to keep, and note of the fesh. that highgrading is illegal. Catch regulations are a limit not a challenge! Landing the fsh onto a padded mat or soft surface will minimise bruising the fesh. A dark, wet cloth over Bag and possession limits used to manage the eyes can assist in keeping the fsh calm. recreational fsheries are designed to control catch by stopping individuals taking excessive numbers of Immediately dispatch the fsh by administering a fsh. Ideally this allows more fshers access to the fsh, spike to the brain then bleed the fsh by making a sharing the resource. Catch limits alone however, do cut behind the pectoral fns on both sides. not ‘cap’ recreational harvest since there is no limit on how many people can join the fshery. For SBT, It is important to dispatch the fsh quickly. The most a high profle species recovering from overfshing it effective and humane way to do this is by spiking the is important that authorities are aware of how much brain, a process known as iki jime (see website links). is being caught. This information can then be used Not only is this good practice in regard to the welfare by fsheries scientists to ensure that management is of the animal, it also stops the fsh moving which can effective and stocks continue to rebuild. cause the fesh to heat up and reduce its quality. The fsh are bled to reduce the amount of blood that is The size of the SBT you catch can vary greatly and retained in the fesh. The more blood that is released this will have a big impact on the amount of fsh you the milder the favour. Poorly bled Bluefn Tuna are could end up taking home. Before you set out fshing, often too rich in taste for most people and can lead to consider how much fesh you and the others on the wastage if the fesh is then discarded. boat really need, rather than how many fsh you are 2 Remove the gills and organs straight after brain spiking and bleeding. Then put the fsh trunk into a fsh bag, ice chest or esky with ice to cool the body temperature.
Southern Bluefn Tuna are endothermic, which means they can heat their body, maintaining an internal temperature above that of the water. Once the fsh has been processed it is important to reduce the temperature of the fesh as quickly as possible to avoid it degrading. An ice slurry is particularly effective as there is greater surface area contact than with just ice.
Reduce wastage by learning how to fllet Southern Bluefn Tuna effectively. There are some good instructional videos on YouTube. Photo: Al McGlashan
Filleting a large fsh requires a bit more work and different techniques to smaller fsh. There are several Researchers investigating post-release survival of SBT good videos on YouTube illustrating how to effectively using state of the art satellite tags. fllet tuna to minimise wastage and ensure you have the best quality fesh. Investing in a good quality, When releasing a fsh hold it alongside the boat large flleting knife that is kept sharp will also make while moving ahead slowly so that water is passed the job easier. over the gills until it actively swims away. Be aware of avoiding predation by sharks or marine Releasing fsh mammals.
Releasing fsh is benefcial in reducing the impact of Tuna are ram ventilated. This means that they need fshing on populations. A fundamental assumption water fowing over their gills to breathe. Holding of catch and release is that the released fsh not them in the water with the boat stationary is far less only survive after release but also that they are not effective at assisting this process. damaged in a way that affects their ability to function normally, including spawning. Fish may swim away immediately or take up to several minutes to recover. Research on recreationally caught The survival rate of SBT released using typical large Altantic Bluefn Tuna has shown that it may take recreational fshing methods is greater than 80%. 15 minutes or more for these big fsh to recover. Little, however, is known about the longer-term effects of catch and release fshing on tuna. Therefore If the hook can be seen, and is not in a position reducing stress on the fsh is important not only to where removal will cause major damage, remove increase their chance of post-release survival but it with pliers or a de-hooker while the fsh is still in also to minimise the risk of sub-lethal effects.There the water. are several practices outlined earlier that you can do to minimise stress and damage, and if you are Bleeding can look a lot worse in the water as the blood planning on releasing fsh you should consider these is diffused. Minor bleeding from hook damage in the carefully. Commonsense also plays an important role, jaw has been shown to have little impact on survival if you have done everything right and the fsh is not post-release. recovering after an extended period of time when being resuscitated boatside consider keeping that fsh as part of your catch limit and let the healthy ones go. Do not gaff the fsh if you intend to release it.
The best way to reduce stress on a fsh is to shorten fght time, minimise damage by considering hook choice and using good fshing and handling techniques. Photo: Klaas Hartmann
3 If the fsh is deep hooked consider keeping it as part of your bag limit as the potential damage may affect survival after release, but if you choose to release it leave the hook in the fsh and cut the line as close as possible to the hook, making sure the fsh is resuscitated prior to release.
Research on other fsh species has shown that when a fsh is deep hooked leaving the hook in causes less damage than trying to remove it and that the likelihood of survival is higher.
If the hook has caused damage to the gills the fsh has a far lower chance of survival, consider keeping fsh with gill damage as part of your bag limit.
Photo: David Hall Research has shown that damage to the gills of SBT affects their chance of survival. If there is obvious damage to the gills it is best to keep the fsh as part of your catch limit. Tagging fsh
Make sure anything that comes into contact with Tagging fsh provides data for research. If the fsh is the fsh is wet. recaptured it can provide information on movement and growth, and in some cases natural mortality rates Fish have a layer of mucus covering their bodies across the population. For the tagging data to be which acts as a protective barrier. Making sure things useful the tagging needs to be done properly and the that come into contact with the fsh, including your tagging event recorded accurately. If done incorrectly hands, are wet will reduce the amount of mucus that the data is less useful and may adversely affect the is removed. fate of the fsh after release. The NSW-DPI game fsh tagging program is currently the best source and If removing a fsh from the water for a photo prior repository of recreational game fshing tags and data. to release, consider using a landing net, avoid lifting it by the gill plate or tail, try and support It is best to tag the fsh while it is still in the water, the whole body, and minimise time out of water. particularly for larger fsh.
Taking a photo of a good catch is commonplace and As previously explained the fsh should be left in the if done carefully will not dramatically affect the chance water whenever possible. If you do remove the fsh of survival once released. When removing the fsh for tagging or a photo follow the protocols in the from the water be careful not to lift it by the tail unless previous section. the weight of the body is being supported. Also take care not to slip your hand in under the gill plate, which If applying the tag while the fsh is out of the water could result in damaging the gills. ensure that it is carefully placed on a wet, padded surface. When the fsh is onboard the same principles apply. Handle the fsh carefully, avoid dropping the fsh, To minimise damage to the fsh lay it on a padded putting your hand in under the gill plate, or suspending surface that has been wetted with saltwater. A wet the fsh by the tail. Fish that are too large to retrieve towel laid over the eye will often help to calm the fsh onto the boat without damaging it should be left in making the tagging process easier and faster. It is also the water. A photo of the fsh can be taken boatside. far easier if two people are involved in the process.
Minimising the time the fsh is out of the water is Administer the tag using an appropriate tagging important, have the camera ready and clear the deck tool, place the tag directly under the second dorsal of the boat before it is removed from the water. Again fn, and insert the tag at an angle leaning back make sure the fsh is resuscitated once back in the towards the tail. Ensure the tag anchor passes water before releasing it. through the muscle and bones under the fn.
Poor placement of the tag can have several negative effects. Primarily, if the tag is placed too low, towards the lateral line of the fsh, it can cause signifcant damage to the fsh. Secondly, poor tag placement may lead to the tag falling out after release. Tag loss can affect the interpretation of the tagging data, particularly if the data are used to assess natural mortality.
4 The tags are designed so that the anchor is locked The NSW DPI Game in between the bones that connect to the fn rays. Fish Tagging Program Applying the tag just under the fn and on an angle laying the tag back towards the tail is the best way to Is the largest game fsh tagging program of its ensure this occurs. A small twist of the applicator can kind in the world and has been in operation assist in making sure the anchor head is locked in. since 1973. It is used to obtain information on the biology (distribution, movement, growth, Record the length of the fsh as accurately as exploitation) of billfsh, tunas, sharks and sport possible. fsh and encourages game fshers to participate in the management of the fshery. The easiest way to record the length of the fsh is to use a sewing measuring tape. Run the tape from the SBT are a key species supported by the Program, tip of the lower jaw, along the body in a straight line with over 20,000 fsh recorded as tagged and to the shortest point at the fork in the tail. This can released and 130 recaptures. To date, the furthest be done either in water or on the deck. This process traveled was a fsh tagged in the Neptune Islands may be easiest using two people depending on the (South Australia) and recaptured in the South size of the fsh. Atlantic Ocean, just past South Africa, clocking up a straight line distance of 5221 nautical miles. Record all the capture details accurately on the tagging card. The NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program issues tags free of charge and works in close association The different aspects of the capture that are listed with the NSW Game Fishing Association and on the card are important and included for a reason. the Game Fishing Association of Australia. Interpreting the data relies on the completeness and The program is run using funds from the NSW accuracy of the data recorded. Recreational Fishing Trust. Over 425,000 fsh have been tagged under the program so far. If Return the tagging card to the administering group you would like to get involved in the program as soon as possible. please contact your club, or phone or email the Game Fish Tagging Program on (02) 4424 7423 The tag recapture rate of Southern Bluefn Tuna or [email protected]. is quite low so the data from each recaptured fsh is valuable. If the tagging card is lost or forgotten about after tagging and the fsh is recaptured the rare opportunity to learn more about Southern Bluefn Tuna from the individual fsh is lost.
Return the tag card using the return address or return unused tags/cards to your club tagging offcer
A correctly completed tag card ready for return.
TAG & RELEASE: Place the tag directly under the second dorsal fn.
RETAINED FISH Iki Jime spike then incision behind the pectoral fn on both sides to bleed.
5 Photo: Al McGlashan
Other sources of information on best practices for recreational fshing
This code of practice relates specifcally to recreational fshing for Southern Bluefn Tuna, but a lot of the practices described are just as relevant for other game fsh species. For more information on best practices when recreational fshing for large pelagics and recreational fshing in general, the following links are useful:
Recfsh Australia National Code of Practice: www.recfshingresearch.org/national-code-of-practice/
Gamefshing Association of Australia Code of Practice for a Responsible Gamefsh Fishery www.gfaa.asn.au/new/index.php/gfaa-information/gfaa-principles-code-of-practice
Neatfsh: A standard for the National Environmental Assessment of Tournament Fishing www.neatfsh.com
Ike jime (also available as a mobile device applicaiton) www.ikijime.com/fsh/tuna-southern-bluefn/
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Game Fish Tagging Program www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fsheries/recreational/saltwater/gamefsh-tagging
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment Tasmania www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fshing-aquaculture/recreational-fshing/scalefsh/tuna-fshing/catching-handling- and-releasing-your-tuna www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fshing-aquaculture/recreational-fshing/scalefsh/responsible-fshing
Primary Industries and Regions South Australia www.pir.sa.gov.au/fshing/recreational_fshing/handling_your_catch
BlueWater Boats & Sportsfshing magazine Booth, G. (2010). Tagging - for results, making it easier for you and better for science. BlueWater Boats & Sportsfshing magazine. 82: 82-88.
6 Conatct Media offce Developed by IMAS as a component of FRDC 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point TAS 7004 project 2013-025: +61 3 6226 6379 Assessing post-release survival of [email protected] Southern Bluefn Tuna from recreational fshing.
This code of practice has been endorsed by: