The treacherous hunting ground for bluefin: 'There's big risks but also great rewards'

  • 📰 9NewsAUS
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 72 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 32%
  • Publisher: 72%

Australia Headlines News

Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines

They come from all over to catch the prized southern bluefin tuna off New Zealand's North Island eastern seaboard but it's a dangerous hunt that last week claimed three lives.

's North Island eastern seaboard. It's a hunt that last week claimed three lives. But, despite the tricky waters leaving most fishermen with close calls, they still go back.

Gisborne-Tatapouri Fishing Club president Roger Faber, who was on one of the other two vessels, would later tellthe breeze was under 5 knots when they left but increased to 10 knots further out from shore. As the wind and swell kept rising the two other boats made the decision to turn back at 11am.

By 1990 the bluefins were severely depleted to the point of being in danger of extinction, but after a long period of sustainable management, and government efforts to push the Japanese ships further out from the coastline, the tuna was back in abundance by 2017.Plant says it soon became a "goldrush" for recreational fishermen who had never had the chance to catch the fish before, especially when they realised how close to shore the tuna were.

"Like Cape Runaway which has got a lot of currents and winds. So the risks are definitely there, but there but that's part of fishing. You just need to be aware of them and be prepared. Have as much safety equipment as you can on your boat and notify the Coastguard where you are going.""It's tragic. They were some of Gisborne's most experienced game fishermen.

Another keen bluefin fisher from the Gisborne area, Elroy Thomson has witnessed inappropriate behaviour from boaties too, including launching at night when they've never been on that stretch of water before.The southern bluefin tuna is a prized delicacy.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 10. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

'Alarming' revelations of mass NDIS rorts 'priority' for government, health minister saysMark Butler said people in legitimate need of the scheme would be &x27;furious&x27; and stopping dodgy providers would be made a &x27;priority&x27;.
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

Men jailed over 'greedy' plot to find cocaine smuggled in shipping containersThe men were seen celebrating when they thought they found the drugs by listening to &x27;Survivor&x27; by Destiny&x27;s Child.
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

Bonza staff sacked ahead of announcement about airline's futureA union says it is a &x27;dark day&x27; for Australia&x27;s aviation industry, with regional communities across Australia left isolated.
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

Illegally brewed liquor kills at least 34, puts dozens in hospital in southern IndiaThe state&x27;s chief minister has vowed that such crimes &x27;will be suppressed with an iron fist&x27;.
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

King's Birthday trading hours: What will and won't be open on Monday, June 10Here&x27;s a quick state-by-state guide if Australia&x27;s biggest retailers will be open today for the King&x27;s Birthday long weekend on Monday, June 10.
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

Melbourne supermarket workers fight back against suspected thievesThe shop&x27;s owners say they don&x27;t want staff putting themselves in harm&x27;s way but claim police aren&x27;t doing enough to stop the skyrocketing number of thefts.
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »