Tuna potential off Kaikoura?

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 3

Tuna potential off Kaikoura?

Wellington reporter Accidental catches of southern bluefin tuna off Kaikoura are seen by the Ministry of Fisheries as portents for a boom fishery there. Nets set for groper have also brought in bluefin during the last two seasons. The tuna were probably picked up when the nets were laid deeper than usual, and two caught in June weighted 89kg (bluefin can grow to 190 kg). These catches have persuaded some people in the industry that more thorough investigation is warranted. The managing director of Virgo Fisheries, Mr A. Harmon, said he would ask the fishermen who caught the tuna if they would ignore groper for two days to concentrate on the bluefin.

A Ministry scientist, Mr D. Gibson, said he wanted to meet the Kaikoura fisher-

men to give advice on how to handle this potentially valuable fish.

These tuna would be

members of the east coast population of the species the Ministry says. The fish is sought by the Japanese, and this year Fletcher Fishing is seeking them too. Fletchers has not been successful because bluefin are not in the waters expected possibly as a sideeffect of the Southern Oscillation, the Ministry says. Stock have migrated up the coast and spent some time off Kaikoura. While the main season for the area is usually Marchearly May, the Kaikoura fishermen could find themselves in future with a short but extremely rich season during May and June.

The two 89kg tuna caught in June were both sold for $8.50 a kilogram in Wellington.