Habitat
A fast swimming tuna found in the open ocean, southern bluefin are highly migratory and may be found around Tasmania when the water temperature starts to cool, generally from March to June and spend winter in offshore waters. Can be found in close to sea cliffs but generally found in waters from 40 metres depth.
Fishing information
Southern bluefin tuna are actively targeted by game fishers off Tasmania’s east and south coasts during autumn and into winter. Usually caught by trolling large lures. In recent years, the stocks of SBT have declined to the point where catch limits have been placed upon the fishery in an attempt to allow the stocks to recover.
Cooking
Tuna need to be correctly handled after capture to retain the best eating quality. They should be killed using a brain spike, bled, then cleaned and chilled shortly after capture. Tuna has a high oil content, distinctive flavour and firm, dark flesh which lightens when cooked. Cooking methods: bake, barbecue, foil bake, marinate, sashimi. Cooked tuna steaks are often preferred by Tasmanian fishers.