Port Mac

tetepare · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 5:46 pm Post subject:

just wondering if weve missed them this year.

A tough year for tuna
13 Mar, 2012 12:30 AM
TUNA fishers have nearly caught their quota for the season despite only being out on the water every one in seven days.
The low number of fishing days has largely been attributed to horrendous weather, which has been worsening for the last three seasons according to the industry.

Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association chief executive officer Brian Jeffriess said the weather conditions meant south easterly winds had been seen for longer periods at higher levels.

"The data suggests this weather pattern was much worse again in 2012," he said.

"Instead of being able to fish the normal one day in four, this was reduced to one in seven days that fishing was possible."

Despite the weather obstacle, Mr Jeffriess said some companies had caught their quota allocation, with others expected to finish by the middle of the month.

But Mr Jeffriess said the delay had set back the farming cycle by some weeks.

He said the setback would be "very costly" to the industry.

The location where fishers caught their tuna was also an issue this season and Mr Jeffriess said the fish had a complete change in movement compared to previous seasons.

"The change in movement pattern of the tuna is so great that for the first time we have caught the large majority of the quota south of Kangaroo Island," he said.

"This is over 300 kilometres east of the traditional catching area.

"The tuna have also largely been caught on sonar, rather than aerial spotted on the surface."

The sudden change in the tuna's movement will create an issue when it is time for the CSIRO to measure stock numbers, which is an annual occurrence.

"That survey covers the complete Bight area where the tuna have traditionally been every year," Mr Jeffriess said.

"In 2012, the tuna have been a long way east of the closest area covered by the CSIRO survey.

"How this will be assessed is unclear."

and

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Fishing crews question change in tuna migration
Posted March 01, 2012 09:58:43

PHOTO: Southern bluefin tuna have swum past SA to reach Tasmania sooner this season (Kerstin Fritsches: AAP)
MAP: SA
The fishing industry is questioning whether offshore seismic testing could have changed migration patterns for tuna.

BP has been searching for oil using seismic equipment in the Great Australian Bight.

Southern bluefin tuna industry official Brian Jeffriess says the tuna are already off Tasmania up to three months earlier than usual.

He says many in the fishing industry think it might be due to the seismic testing, although the weather might also be a factor.

"It's the most different season that people can remember, where the fish have been caught, the degree of bad weather," he said.

"The area that we've caught them is south-west of Kangaroo Island [in South Australia] and they tell me 1980 was the last time we caught these fish there.

"Apparently these fish have now reached Tasmania already, which is unprecedented. Normally they are in Tasmania from late April/May."

A BP official said the company was in close contact with the tuna industry and planned to speak with Mr Jeffriess in coming days.

Steve_Atto · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject:

We did well last Sunday, in approx the 1000m line, bit before. Seen plenty of fish jumping and had a five way hook up just after that. All on skirts, all colours as we had a good spread out. Had a double about 30 minutes or so later. Portland fired the next day. But I think Port Mac is the go at the moment. Originally we were going to fish Portland, but as there was very little result on Saturday we made the drive down. There were also some Portland regulars fishing the shelf on Sunday, which also gave us some confidence that we had made the right choice. I had someone tell me they had done ok when they returned back to Portland, and the impression was they caught their fish at the Horseshoe, but we know different.

Gary at the tackle store is loaded with gear and knowledge. Worth the stop in and geek, just to see the range of lures.

And its hard to go past a meal and beveridge at the Nelson Hotel.

Hope to have another look in a few weeks.

VIC Strathboy · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 9:20 am Post subject:

Latest words over the fence at the bay put the Tuna from 70M to 170M, but that can change, we all know how fickle Port Mac can be..this Thursday we're going to pop our corks at 50m and head E-SE and see what we get.. wish us luck..we haven't had a decent feed yet since last season

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Out Wide · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 4:11 pm Post subject:

Mates of mine cleaned up at Port Mac on Monday.....

15 to 20 fish.....

all in over 1000 metres of water....

No sign of any albacore...

There were plenty of Bluefin caught I believe but I was told all out over the shelf and most over the second drop....Apparently no signs of any albacore frames even in the bin.

Fish were smaller - back to 15 to 20Kg...

They even caught 2 on fly after cubing up a school to the back of the boat....

lucaswilson · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:38 pm Post subject:

Any reports from port Mac today?
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Cheers
Lucas

Click here for the latest South West Victoria fishing report http://www.richardsonmarine.com.au

Cassius Cray

Sparksey · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:26 pm Post subject:

Fished Pt .Mac today and it was very quiet. One small stripey from 800m. A few birds at 120m but nothing under them. Think I might wait a couple of weeks before trying again.
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lucaswilson · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks heaps sparksey really appreciate it. I know it can change overnight but we'll go Portland tomorrow thanks again cheers.
_________________
Cheers
Lucas

Click here for the latest South West Victoria fishing report http://www.richardsonmarine.com.au

Cassius Cray

Out Wide · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:48 pm Post subject:

Boys, the fish are there at Port Mac....

Just have to find them....

They seem to be out wider than normal at the moment....

Out beyond the 1000m...

Sparksey · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:02 pm Post subject:

As a side issue, I noticed that the water temp was about 18 degrees over the shelf this week and if my memory serves me correctly, it was closer to 14 this time last year. I presumed that the Bonney upwelling would be pumping by now but maybe not. Come to think of it I haven't seen any krill this season either.
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