Key facts

Stewards of the sea

Our members: Guardians of the fishery

  • There are 33 active Tuna Australia member longline boats, spending thousands of days at sea each year catching premium-quality fish

  • Our fishers are stewards of the ocean. They are passionate about what they do, ensuring fish will be available for generations to come

  • Many producers are second and third-generation fishers and have a deep knowledge of ocean ecology, conditions and patterns

  • Fishers follow rigorous regulation and best practice measures

Each producer:

  • holds a licence from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)

  • has a share (quota) of the total allowable catch managed by AFMA

  • uses electronic logbooks and video cameras to record all catch and wildlife interactions

  • minimises interactions with protected species

Target fish species

  • Our members target six key fish species: albacore tuna, bigeye tuna, southern bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, broadbill swordfish, and striped marlin

  • Byproduct species include mahi mahi, wahoo, spearfish, moonfish and ray’s bream

  • None of the stocks solely managed by the Commonwealth are overfished or subject to overfishing, according to the ABARES Fishery Status Reports 2020

  • Around 5000 tonnes of fish are landed annually from our fisheries

  • The main method to catch tuna is by pelagic longline

  • Around 70 percent of catch is exported fresh and frozen to premium markets in Europe, Japan and the United States, as well as consumed locally

Our fisheries

Our members operate in three fisheries:

Marine Stewardship Council certification

Certified as sustainable

  • The ETBF holds a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification—the world’s most credible standard for sustainable wild-caught seafood

  • Through the MSC label, fish can be traced from boat to plate, assuring consumers that the fish they are eating is from a sustainable source

World-class fisheries management

  • The ETBF is considered one of the best managed fisheries in the world

  • World-leading fisheries managers and scientists have their eyes on these waters

There are three layers of regulation for the ETBF:

Nutritious and tasty

Packed with micronutrients

  • Tuna is a lean protein source full of omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients such as vitamin B, magnesium, zinc and selenium. These are vital for a healthy immune system, heart and brain

  • Tuna can be eaten raw, rare or cooked, making it a versatile, nutritious and tasty addition to any meal

Go-to choice for top chefs