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More than $12,000 worth of prize money is up for grabs this April, as Portland hosts its annual Hooked on Tuna fishing competition.
Anglers are expected to travel from across the country in lure of the elusive tuna catch for the competition, which runs across four weekends from April 6 to 28 from the Portland Yacht Club.
Hosted by Glenelg Shire Council in partnership with the Portland Sports Game Fishing Club and Portland Lions Club, the competition includes a new tag and release category.
This further strengthens the sustainable fishing practices of the competition, which requires all fish to be gutted and bled.
Mayor Cr Anita Rank said the competition continued to attract national headlines, with anglers catching prized tuna up to or more than 100 kilograms in weight.
She said Melbourne angler Paul Hourmouzis caught the winning catch in 2018 with an impressive 105.9 kilogram barrel.
He was closely followed by fellow Melbourne angler John DeGroot with his slightly lighter 104 kilogram catch, followed by Melbourne's Jony Ai, with a much lighter 29 kilogram tuna.
Portland is home to a world-class recreational fishing industry, attracting thousands of anglers from across Australia (the season traditionally runs from February to June).
Portland's Southern bluefin tuna industry is worth approximately $10 million to the Glenelg Shire economy.
"Portland is well recognised as Australia's Bluefin tuna capital and we are looking forward to hosting hundreds of new competitors over the coming weeks as we look to break more records in 2019," Cr Rank said.
Returning to this year's event is acclaimed lure expert Peter Pakula who will be assisting at the weigh-ins and hosting a fishing talk, while Dr Julia Pepperell, a marine biologist and leading authority on tuna, marlin and sharks, will also share his expertise at a workshop for participants.
To learn more, check out the Hooked on Tuna Facebook page, or visit the Glenelg Shire website glenelg.vic.gov.au/hookedontuna.
Competitors can register online at trybooking.com/BBOZW.