Warrnambool, AUSTRALIA - Eager anglers from across the nation are sparing no expense in their local pursuit of enormous southern bluefin tuna.
Deakin University marine biology honours student Peter O'Toole interviewed 290 people who set off from Portland in search of the species between April and June this year.
He found 95 per cent hailed from outside the south-west, with most after a trophy fish rather than a source of food.
"Anglers are willing to pay a lot of money and travel a long distance to take part in this fishing," he said.
Most of those interviewed by Mr O'Toole lived in Melbourne or other Victorian regions, though interstate and overseas visitors were not uncommon.
The 22-year-old met one group from Darwin who spent more than $3000 on a hire car after their vehicle broke down, while a New Zealand fisherman's passion for tuna saw him fly to Portland with a rod at the ready.
A total of 1421 fish were caught during the three week-long survey periods, a figure that included one record-breaking specimen weighing 156.5 kilograms.
"Anecdotally there was 60 over 100kg caught between Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland (this season)," Mr O'Toole said.
He was hopeful a future study could include analysis of the economic benefits tuna fishing brings to Portland.
"The economics is important to try and quantify the importance of the fishery towards the fishermen," Mr O'Toole said.
"It's also important to quantify how much a recreational fishery's worth so you can compare it to a commercial fishery (and) weigh up the positives and negatives. A commercial fishery may bring in a lot more fish, but a recreational fishery can bring in a lot less fish but more money."
Glenelg Shire economic development and tourism manager Gary Bebbington said he was eager to see Victoria's Department of Primary Industries (DPI) pursue such a project.
"I do believe that the DPI fisheries (division) are undertaking a very large study on the actual biomass of the tuna and the sustainability of the tuna," he said.
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