Download FAR 2019/08 – Recreational harvest of southern bluefin tuna in New Zealand, 2017–18

This report describes the New Zealand recreational catch of southern bluefin tuna in the 2017–18 fishing year. A new recreational fishery developed in 2017 off Cape Runaway with the main access point at Waihau Bay. An on-site boat ramp survey estimated the catch from Waihau Bay to be 69 southern bluefin in June and July 2018. Sport fishing club weigh station records and charter boat catches were compiled. An estimate of unaccounted catch was made. The national recreational harvest estimate for southern bluefin tuna is 15 t and the estimated range is 13.4 t to 17.0 t in 2017–18.