CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has used genetic tests to confirm the first recreational catches of Pacific bluefin tuna in the state of Victoria. The two fish were caught in July 2026 off Western Port Bay, about 10 kilometres from shore.
The tuna weighed about 165 and 131.6 kilograms and were first thought to be southern bluefin tuna. Two anglers noticed different features and sent muscle samples to CSIRO geneticist Peter Grewe in Hobart. A rapid test pointed to the Pacific species and genetic sequencing confirmed it.
Months later, off Lakes Entrance, anglers caught many tuna weighing between 130 and 217 kilograms that may also belong to this species. Pacific bluefin tuna can reach about 3 metres and nearly 450 kilograms.
According to CSIRO, encounters have become more likely as southern bluefin stocks have rebuilt and fishing effort has grown. The agency is now testing the Lakes Entrance samples to confirm the species.
