Species
Southern Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus maccoyii
Tier 2Eating10/10heavy tackleEndangeredNSWVICSAWATAS
20 waypoints80–180 cm (max 245 cm) typical
Regulations
NSWbag 2VICbag 2SAbag 2TASbag 2
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | — | 2 |
| VIC | — | 2 |
| SA | — | 2 |
| TAS | — | 2 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about southern bluefin tuna
Heavyweight pelagic prized off SA, VIC, southern NSW and TAS, mainly through autumn and winter. Targeted trolling skirts and divers in current lines and on the shelf — when they boil on bait schools, casting stickbaits is electric. Subject to strict bag and tag rules in some states.
Biology: Southern Bluefin Tuna size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Offshore, Pelagic
- Typical size
- 80–180 cm (max 245 cm)
- Weight
- 15–100 kg (max 200 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–500 m
- Diet
- pilchards, krill, squid, redbait
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Southern Hemisphere temperate oceans (southern bluefin Thunnus maccoyii)
How to target: Southern Bluefin Tuna angling strategies
Generally fished with heavy tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- trolling Christmas-tree daisy chains and small skirts on the shelf at 6-8 knots
- cubing pilchards on a slow drift over current breaks off Portland and Eden
- casting stick baits and 80g metals into surface boil-ups
- deep jigging on shelf bait schools
Best season: when to catch southern bluefin tuna in Australia
- NSW
- May-Sep (Eden)
- VIC
- Apr-Aug (Portland/Apollo Bay)
- SA
- Jan-Jul (Port MacDonnell)
- TAS
- Apr-Jul (east coast)
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Conservation
IUCN: Endangered
Southern bluefin tuna IUCN Endangered; AFMA quota-managed but stock rebuilding.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught southern bluefin tuna
No southern bluefin tuna catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: southern bluefin tuna fishing spots in Australia
Tasmania7
Victoria6
South Australia6
Western Australia1
More information: southern bluefin tuna references & sources
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