What can only be described as a dream come true. A two-week window in the middle of winter, from average to awesome conditions, heading out to fish for the highly prized southern
From John Holdsworth at Blue Water Marine Research – For future management discussions at the Highly Migratory Species Working Group, we need to record all southern blue fin catches, for both weighed and tagged and released as best we can. Given that this is the first season that recreational catch has become a significant factor, resettling the allowances about what is reasonable will no doubt be a hot topic for discussion. MPI decided to hold back a bit of quota for commercial unders and overs so that NZ’s allowance (set by the CCSBT – Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna) will not be exceeded.
Waihau Bay – The Blue Fin Tuna run out of Waihau Bay is awesome. There is no doubt this run of fish is one of the best buzz’s we’ve had this year, particularly after a fairly quiet summer of Game Fishing. There is now a lot of talk about the amount of Blue Fin been taken recreationally over the past few weeks. Maybe some unwritten ethics to think about as your about to gaff the next fish. We don’t need to feed the whole neighbourhood. If you kill it, make sure you eat it! Land less, so you can go more. One or two fish per boat doesn’t seem like lots, but when there are 100 odd boats fishing for this prized species, it adds up pretty quickly.
Tauranga · Small boats chasing Blue Fin Tuna out of Waihau Bay now. There are also some small boats pushing the limits with weather and distance. Remember, is it NOT COOL to die, drown your friends, or be towed home, or to put anyone in danger saving you. Skippers you are legally liable. Know your boat, know your motor, make sure you have enough gas, know the local weather and how it can change regardless of the forecast.
Another mission down Waihau – Left at 11am Saturday, down at Waihau by 5pm with Pete McGregor and his Surtees 580 “Significant Other”. The first fish came in at just over 40kg and then the second at nearly 56kg about 20 minutes later. High fives all round, then think about heading home. Arrived back home at just after midnight so 36 hours of driving and fishing, but it was worth every second. I feel totally blessed at being able to catch one of these remarkable fish from my own boat and Pete’s. Here’s hoping we get another opportunity this year, and if not, definitely next year.
Big thanks to Waihau Bay Sport Fishing Club – I think all the Boaties that have been to Waihau Bay fishing for these lovely SBFT, need to send out a huge thank you to Christine. For all the work that she has been doing over the past two weeks, weighing all these SBFT and making sure there’s enough fuel. People probably don’t realize that she has had grandkids staying over, so she’s been juggling looking after them and running up and down the hill weighing all these fish. So, a massive THANK YOU goes out to you, CHRISTINE! From all Boaties around New Zealand.
From Richard Baker on the good ship “Bite Time”– 2 round trips of 880km towing Bite Time to Waihau Bay over the last 2 weekends. 2.5 days on the water saw our perseverance rewarded 1-1-1 with Clark Gayford landing a good sized Southern Bluefin Tuna of 105.3kg on 24 kg line with an RG2 Kohe lure. Close to a two and half hour
From the Clubs perspective, Re Southern Bluefin Tuna at Waihau Bay – The last couple of weeks have been a wild ride. The power of social media has drawn anglers to Waihau Bay, from all over the country, to fish for Southern Bluefin Tuna. Many people have had access to fish they wouldn’t have dreamed of a month ago. This is essentially a whole new recreational fishery and has taken the Waihau Bay Sport Fishing Club and local community by storm. Local iwi has a long tradition of respect for sea, utilising resources with great care. It’s understandable that concerns have arisen about the number of fish being taken, so please limit your catch and get your tag pole out. After all, it’s the norm for our marlin fishery. If you do have surplus fish they will be welcomed by the local community.1. Respect the local community.2. Should Only one fish per boat will be weighed.3. Utilise your catch – keep or donate locally.4. Dispose of waste carefully – do not dump on shore. 5. Fish are to be returned to the boat immediately after weighing.The committee will consider stopping the weighing of tuna completely if necessary. The abundance of fish is now tailing off as the fish move on through to other waters.
From the editor – We have learned a lot from this seasons sensation, should it happen again or another such occurrence we NZSFC/LegaSea/local Fishing Clubs will be better placed to ensure our fish and fishery is fully utilised in the sharing, and sharing the love of fishing in NZ.
-editor
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