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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Yes—two recreational catches off Victoria have been genetically confirmed as Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), according to a CSIRO report published 14 October 2026. The fish were caught days apart in July in Bass Strait, west of Western Port Bay. They had initially been recorded as southern bluefin tuna, but two-stage DNA testing identified them as Pacific bluefin—the first confirmed recreational records of the species in Victorian waters.
What was caught, and where?
Anglers caught both tuna in 50–60 metres of water off Bass Strait, wide of Western Port Bay. The catches were made within days of each other in July 2026. One fish measured 2.12 metres and weighed approximately 165 kilograms; the other measured 2.02 metres and weighed 131.6 kilograms.
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| Confirmed fish | Length | Weight | Capture details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish 1 | 2.12 m | Approximately 165 kg | Bass Strait, 50–60 m depth |
| Fish 2 | 2.02 m | 131.6 kg | Bass Strait, 50–60 m depth |
Jonah Yick, a Tuna Champions scientific ambassador, described the catches as occurring “literally on Melbourne’s doorstep, within 10 kilometres of the shoreline”.
How scientists distinguished Pacific from southern bluefin
Pacific bluefin and southern bluefin tuna are closely similar in appearance. Features such as anal- and second-dorsal-fin length, skin markings, body shape and typical size can provide clues, but none is consistently decisive for an individual fish. CSIRO says the Victorian tuna would probably have been logged as southern bluefin without genetic analysis.
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Two-stage genetic confirmation
- Rapid species screen: Muscle samples first underwent a quick species-identification test that indicated Pacific bluefin.
- Forensic-grade sequencing: A secondary sequencing analysis independently confirmed the initial result.
CSIRO principal research scientist Dr Peter Grewe said he was “extremely confident” in the result after the second analysis. Genetic confirmation matters because a visual assessment alone cannot establish a reliable species record when these two bluefin species overlap in appearance.
Are the Lakes Entrance tuna also Pacific bluefin?
Not yet. Anglers near Lakes Entrance later reported tuna weighing between 130 and 217 kilograms. Their external features appeared consistent with Pacific bluefin, and samples were collected, but CSIRO said testing was still underway when its report was published. Those fish should therefore be described as suspected or under investigation, not confirmed Pacific bluefin records.
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The distinction is important: the Western Port-area fish have a completed genetic identification, while the Lakes Entrance reports currently rest on preliminary visual observations.
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Pacific bluefin are generally associated with the Northern Hemisphere, although recreational catches also occur in New Zealand. CSIRO describes a long-distance life cycle: many first-year fish can travel more than 8,000 kilometres from spawning grounds near Japan. Adults return to warmer spawning areas and later feed in cooler waters near California and New Zealand.
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The Victorian catches indicate that Pacific bluefin may reach southern Australian waters more regularly than previously recognised. They do not, by themselves, establish how often the species visits Victoria, whether a resident seasonal aggregation exists, or whether abundance is increasing. Those questions require additional confirmed records and continuing scientific analysis.
Large fish, but below the species maximum
Pacific bluefin can grow to almost three metres and approach 450 kilograms. At 2.12 metres and about 165 kilograms, and 2.02 metres and 131.6 kilograms, the two Victorian fish were substantial adults or near-adults but well below the maximum size described for the species.
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What Victoria’s tuna rules say
The Victorian Fisheries Authority’s current rule sets a combined bag limit of two for southern bluefin, yellowfin, Pacific bluefin and bigeye tuna. The limit applies across those tuna species rather than providing two fish for each species.
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Handling and cleaning requirement
- Tuna must not be filleted in or on Victorian waters.
- Each fish must remain whole or in carcass form until the fisher is away from the water.
- Cleaning tables at boat ramps may be used, subject to the requirement to keep the fish whole or in carcass form while on the water.
These rules apply to the fishery regardless of whether a tuna is later identified as southern, Pacific, yellowfin or bigeye. Anglers should check the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s current wording before each trip in case regulations change.
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How anglers can help verify future sightings
Fishers are often the first people to notice unusual tuna in Victorian waters. Dr Grewe said information from people on the water is “invaluable to scientists” and that fishers see unusual things and share observations that researchers cannot collect alone.
- Keep accurate notes of the date, location and approximate depth.
- Photograph the whole fish and distinctive fin or skin features before processing.
- Record length and weight using consistent methods.
- Preserve requested tissue samples according to instructions from fisheries scientists.
- Report a suspected Pacific bluefin as suspected until genetic testing confirms the species.
Victoria’s offshore anglers use trolling lures, casting, jigging and cubing, and a seasonal charter fleet serves this fishery. Those methods provide ways to encounter tuna, but the discovery itself is about species identification—not evidence that any particular technique produces Pacific bluefin.
What is established—and what is not
| Question | Current evidence |
|---|---|
| Were Pacific bluefin caught in Victoria? | Yes. Two recreational catches were genetically confirmed by CSIRO. |
| Where were the confirmed fish caught? | In Bass Strait, wide of Western Port Bay, in 50–60 m of water. |
| Are the Lakes Entrance fish confirmed? | No. Samples were still being tested when CSIRO reported the discovery. |
| Does Victoria have a separate Pacific bluefin bag limit? | The current rule combines Pacific bluefin with three other tuna species under a total limit of two. |
| Does the discovery prove a permanent Victorian population? | No. It shows confirmed occurrence, not population size, residency or frequency of visits. |
The Bottom Line
Two tuna caught off Western Port Bay in July 2026 are Victoria’s first recreational Pacific bluefin records confirmed by DNA. Later Lakes Entrance fish remain unconfirmed pending testing, and Victoria’s combined limit for the listed tuna species is two fish.
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