Portland teenagers Jack Oliver and Matt Harris caught these southern bluefin tuna near the harbour.
HUNDREDS of visiting boaters are expected to launch from the south-west this weekend hoping to catch some of the schools of southern bluefin tuna which have arrived on their annual migration.
Portland fishing commen-tator Bob McPherson told The Standard yesterday tuna had been caught unusually close to shore in recent days.
“There are plenty of tuna around all the way from Port Macdonnell to Warrnambool,” Mr McPherson said yesterday.
“They are being caught only two to three kilometres from shore in only 25 metres of water near Portland, some near the harbour entrance and Lawrence Rocks.
“Some have weighed up to 36 kilograms.
“A couple of local teenagers caught two from their little four-metre dinghy,” Mr McPherson said.
In the past year Portland has reaped a million-dollar-plus economic bonanza from visiting boat crews while Warrnambool and Port Fairy had lesser numbers.
Warrnambool’s fishing activity will be boosted by the eight-day Shipwreck Coast Classic which starts Saturday.
Boats will also launch off Port Fairy and Peterborough for the competition.
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au
