THE longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol) is a popular sportfish along the east coast. During their annual summer migration, longtails travel from the coastal waters of Northern Queensland as far south as Eden, NSW. Once the water begins to cool they turn and head back north towards the Coral Sea.
A longtail tuna recently released by keen angler Shane Simpson has been recaptured!
The fish was tagged on March 13, 2019, by an angler fishing land-based off a headland south of Port Macquarie. The fish was estimated at 100 cm and 15 kg on release.
Thirteen days later, on March 26, 2019, the tuna was recaptured by Peter Silcock fishing to the north of Port Stephens, NSW.
Upon recapture the fish measured 104 cm and 15.8 kg. The fish had traveled an impressive 120 km during its 13 days at liberty.
The NSW DPI Game Fish Tagging Program issues tags free of charge and works in close association with the NSW Game Fishing Association, the Game Fishing Association of Australia and the ANSA (NSW Branch).
The program is run using funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust. More than 475,000 fish have been tagged under the program so far.
If you would like to get involved in gamefish tagging, please phone (02) 6691 9602 or email gamefish.tagging@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
