tuna champions

RSVP: To let us know you will be attending, please register here

Life on the Line world premiere

Do you have a passion for the athletic Southern Bluefin Tuna or an interest in sustainable fisheries for the future?

You won’t want to miss the world premiere of Al McGlashan’s highly-anticipated documentary, Life on the Line.

This FREE EVENT is at IMAX Melbourne Museum,
on November 6 at 7pm.

It will feature the documentary screening, fantastic door prizes and more.

Tickets are limited, so head to Eventbrite to register now!

Ambassadors

Meet our Ambassadors, pick up some hot tips on the best fishing practices for SBT  and even find out how to channel your inner chef. Let’s go!

All Ambassadors
Chloe L
@she_fishes
Sydney NSW
When you're fighting a fish and you stop to rest, so does the fish - and that can lengthen the fight time.
Chloe L
Sydney NSW
If you keep working hard you'll keep the fight time short. There are so many options for preparing SBT. It's such a delicacy, I love it. My husband is allergic to other fish but SBT is a fish we can share at the table.
Short fight times mean your SBT is in good condition if you want to release it. If you're keeping it, the meat won't degrade due to over-heating. That's really important when catching SBT in the warmer waters off NSW!
Lee R
@leerayner @leeraynerfishing
Melbourne VIC
If you're going out to catch SBT, take the right gear. With super light tackle you have to fight them too long.
Lee R
Melbourne VIC
Most people would have two sets of treble hooks or event two singles on a lure, but it's better to use single hooks if you're letting SBT go. Our hook up rate is exactly the same when we run a single hook on the lure - and the fish don't get damaged.
I'd rather just keep one or two 20kg school fish we can deal with on the boat. Because if you can't kill them, bleed them, gut them and put them straight on ice it's just not worth keeping them.
Scott G
@scottgrayfishing
Southwest Victoria
Catching multiple SBT in an outing is common in southwest Victoria, so many anglers practice catch and release - which means looking after it so it survives.
Scott G
Southwest Victoria
I use a large landing net with a soft silicone bag, which helps control the fish when landing it and prevents damage to its skin and scales.
I also use single hooks on all my stickbait lures – they’re easier to remove from the fish, cause less damage to its mouth, and reduce bleeding. This means the fish spends less time out of the water before release and has a better chance of surviving.

Shop like a Tuna Champion

 

Step out in style! Tuna Champion t-shirts don’t just look cool, they’re great quality and fit – and super comfy. Available in black or white, in unisex sizes S, M, L, XL and 2XL (size guide)

I want one

Get onboard with this LIMITED EDITION Reel Brand + Tuna Champion long-sleeve fishing shirt. It comes with a free t-shirt… and stocks are limited, so don’t miss out!

I want one

OFFER EXTENDED!
Buy a t-shirt or fishing shirt BEFORE THE END OF OCTOBER and receive a FREE set of waterproof info cards for your boat. Plus half-price standard or express postage within Australia only (or discounted international postage).
These links re-direct you to our Tuna Champions shopping page, currently hosted by UTAS.

 

Become a Tuna Champ - Take the tuna Pledge

I do solemnly swear to catch, handle, keep or release southern bluefin tuna as safely and humanely as possible – and to prepare it well, so no fish is wasted.

Tune up your tuna skills

Tune up your tuna skills

Being a Tuna Champion means using the best fishing practices for Southern Bluefin Tuna – and encouraging others to do the same. Small actions make a difference.

keep

Are you familiar with iki jime humane fish-killing practices?

catch

Do you have the right fishing gear to catch big fish and is it in good condition?

release

Will the fish you release have the best chance to survive?

handle

Are you leaving the fish in the water when possible, and handling it with care?

prepare

Do you know how to make the most of the meat you harvest and not waste the fish?
how-to videos

Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what people are saying about Tuna Champions…

“With the help of the Tuna Champion movement, competitions are moving from whole-fish weigh-ins to gill gutted. We’re seeing a real change in how people bring in the fish, including how much ice they take on their boat.”

John Johnstone, Owner, Portland Bait & Tackle

“In support of the Tuna Champion program, a ‘Tag and Release’ category has been introduced to the month-long Hooked On Tuna competition for 2019. This program encourages recreational fishers to respect SBT and adopt ways to fish better with minimum waste. In recognition of this, competition rules are now aligned with best practice fishing of the SBT, with all fish presented at weigh-in mandated to be gutted, gilled and bled to avoid wastage.”

Michael Cottee, Tourism and Events Manager, Glenelg Shire Council

READ MORE TESTIMONIALS HERE

Share your love of tuna

Whether you're keeping or releasing it, tell us what makes bluefin special to you.

What I like about SBT:

What appeals to me about Tuna Champions:

My hot tip for fishing or preparing bluefin is:

Please note that we may edit your submission for style and fit, but we won’t change what you mean.

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