Yellowfin Tuna

yellowfin tuna
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit2

 

possession limit2

 

boat limit4

Limits apply to southern bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye tuna combined. The boat limit allows only 2 tuna over 1.5 metres.

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

yellowfin, yellowfinned albacore


Scientific name

Thunnus albacares

Grows to


Up to

2m and 175kg

Identifying features


​This colourful tuna is dark blue-black on the body, silver to yellow on the belly and has a yellow stripe that runs from eye to tail. They have moderate to long pectoral fins reaching just beyond the start of the second dorsal fin. The second dorsal fin and anal fin are sickle shaped, and yellow-edged on larger fish.

​Habitat

Found in offshore temperate waters of eastern Tasmania from late January to April when the water is warmer. They are found from shallow coastal waters out to the continental shelf in depths ranging from 10-200 metres.

Fishing information

Less common in Tasmania than other tunas. Caught on a variety of hard and soft bodies lures trolled at varying depths.

Handling

If practising catch and release, keep tuna out of the water for the minimum time possible, cover their eyes and handle with wet hands or cloth. Don’t use a gaff. Larger tuna should be released without removing them from the water. If photographing, hold horizontally not unsupported by the tail.

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.

Recipe: Foil Baked Tuna:

4 tuna steaks approx 2 cm thick; 1 tbsp butter; 1 small red capsicum, chopped; 3 spring onions, finely chopped; 1 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs; 1 tbsp capers, chopped; 1 cup sour cream; 1 tbsp lemon juice; lemon pepper; salt.

Place each tuna steak on a piece of foil. Melt butter then saute capsicum and spring onions until soft. Add breadcrumbs, capers, cream and juice. Season to taste. Cover each tuna steak with equal amounts of vegetable mixture. Seal foil and place all parcels on a tray. Bake at 200°C for 15 mins.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au