The first initiation report from Tasmania's Southern Bluefin Tuna Diet Study has been published, providing an early snapshot of what Southern Bluefin Tuna are eating in Tasmanian waters.
The report summarises the analysis of the first 57 stomach samples collected and donated by recreational and commercial fishers during 2026. While still in the early stages, the study is already providing valuable insights into the prey species supporting Southern Bluefin Tuna in Tasmania's productive marine environment.
The Southern Bluefin Tuna Diet Study is a citizen science project led by NRE Tas in collaboration with IMAS and TARFish that aims to improve understanding of Southern Bluefin Tuna diet and feeding ecology. Over time, the growing dataset will help identify patterns in diet composition across seasons, locations and fishing grounds around Tasmania.
Every sample submitted helps build a more complete picture of how Southern Bluefin Tuna use Tasmanian waters and the role they play in the marine ecosystem.
The study continues to seek contributions from fishers across the state. The more samples collected, the more meaningful and representative the findings will become.