TARGET FISHING AREA

The use of freezer boats enables the targeting of the outer and northern regions of the WTBF zone, that historically have been impossible for Australian boats to fish. In the North this is the area around the Cocos and Christmas Islands, and the remote area off the northern Kimberly's.

In the south, this is the area commencing adjacent to Carnarvon and heading south along the 150-400 nautical mile edge of the zone, from the 25‘South Parallel to around the 35‘South Parallel.

NORTHERN SEASON November  to April

Northern Bigeye Tuna (T. obesus) are generally larger fish with approximately 60% in the 40-60 kilo size range and 10% in excess of 60-kilo. They congregate around Christmas and Cocos Islands each year to mate, from November through to January.

Northern Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) are a schooling fish, that congregate in the warm food rich waters off the Kimberly coast each year from January through to April.

SOUTHERN SEASON May to October

Southern Bigeye Tuna (T. obesus) are generally in the 30 to 50-kilo size range, and are “free ranging” over vast areas, and through great depth. Catching these fish takes a skilled Fishing Captain, who is familiar with ocean currents and water temperatures, and thus able to find and target the fish.

Southern Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) are also known as “Oil Yellowfin” given their high flesh oil content. This makes these fish highly sought after in the Japan market and attracting a higher price than Northern Yellowfin. They tend to congregate in known areas and are targeted accordingly.

SUMMER GROUNDS                                                                                        WINTER GROUNDS