Who can be a Tuna Champion? You can!
Watch our short videos to find out how small moves make a difference.
From preparation to plate
Learn from the experts about making
the most of every fish you catch.
Tuna Tagging techniques explained
Learn exactly how to tag a bluefin tuna – and make your
citizen science moves count.
Caring for your catch
Find out how Rod & Reel commercial fishers care for their catch to get the best quality from the fish they keep
How much ice do you really need?
Find out how much ice will get your SBT’s core temperature down and keep it down, for better quality flesh and a longer shelf life.
How SBT are graded
Discover what the professionals look for when grading Southern Bluefin Tuna caught by Rod & Reel fishers.
Life on the Line
Al McGlashan tells the story of how people working together across government, industry, research and the fishing community, put the Southern Bluefin Tuna on a pathway to recovery.
catch
Is your fishing gear up to the job? Are you using gear that will the minimise impact on the fish? Are there things you can do to avoid degrading the quality of the flesh if you’re keeping it for eating – or to improve its chance of survival if you release it?
- Find out what’s changing on the tournament circuit and why it’s a win for southern bluefin tuna and for anglers: Tournaments ride tides of change – BlueWater Issue 141
- How to quickly replace treble hooks with singles on hard body lures Watch video
- Get our length-weight chart and learn how to correctly measure your fish in this handy Tuna Champ Info Card
- Find out how your boat driver can help reduce fight time with a big bluefin: Reduce Fight Time – BlueWater Issue 138
handle
Poor handling techniques can affect the welfare of the animal, reduce its chance of survival if released, and affect the quality of the meat if you plan to keep it to eat.
- The Coast 2 Coast Tuna Tournament in Victor Harbour is a great example of how a tournament can encourage anglers to adopt better fish handling techniques. Find out why: Tournament encourages Tuna Champions – BlueWater Issue 137
- Find out how to handle bluefin – from reducing fight times to releasing it, and even for that photo opportunity: SBT Code of Practice
- Get our 7 top tips for snapping your catch. Read more
release
Releasing fish reduces the impact of fishing on populations – and that means better fishing for everyone. Reducing stress and damage to the your SBT will give them the best chance of surviving.
- For big fish boatside, keep the boat moving forward slowly so water flows through the gills, until your fish is ready to swim away
- Gently release smaller SBT with a little push forward so water flows through the gills
- If you’re tagging the fish before you release it, see our Tag section below
- Read more in the SBT Code of Practice
Download the IkeJime Tool Extreme app here
keep
Find out why and how to dispatch, bleed, gut and cool bluefin for the ultimate bluefin taste – and so no fish is wasted…
- Need a quick guide to dispatching & processing your SBT? Check out our
Tuna Champion Info Card - Every fisher knows you need a lot of ice to chill a tuna – but how much is enough and what’s the best way to do it? We put chilling methods to the test. The results may surprise you. The Chilling Truth – BlueWater Issue 140
- Why the right time to take ice on your boat is… every time. Read more
- Catching a tuna to eat for the recreational fisher Watch video
prepare
Do you know how to prepare a bluefin to get the most out of each fish? See how the masters do it!
- How to butcher a whole tuna: every cut of fish explained Watch video
- Find out about SBT cuts, yield and more in Fishfiles – SBT
- Love to channel your inner chef? Pick up our regular prep tips on Facebook and Instagram
- In our Tuna Champ videos, you’ll see how professional Rod & Reel fishers care for their catch for the best quality flesh with the longest shelf life, and watch the experts take SBT from preparation to plate. See the links at the top of this page!
- Get your tags from the NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program
- Follow our regular Tuna Travel Tales on Facebook or Instagram
tag
A tagged and recaptured SBT tells a story about movement, growth, and sometimes natural mortality rates across the population.
You can help researchers gather useful data about SBT, by tagging and recording information correctly, and handling and releasing the fish with care. Reporting any recaptures of tagged bluefin also helps us learn more about these iconic fish.
- Watch our Tuna Tagging Techniques video – see link at the top of this page!
- What’s the correct way to tag? What if my fish is already tagged? Find out in our handy Tuna Champion Info Card
- Get your SBT tagging technique spot on with Dr Sean Tracey: How to tag tuna – from BlueWater issue 136
- Discover more about these highly tuned swimming machines, their ocean-scale migrations, and why tagging helps researchers get the data they need to understand more about SBT: Playing tag with tuna in the Bight (Ecos)