It’s Official: Robbie’s S-bluefin Catch Is A World Recordff
23 January 2012
New Zealand Source: The Gisborne Herald
A Southern bluefin tuna caught by Gisborne man Robbie Lewis in May of last year has finally been confirmed as a world record.
Weighing in at 155.05kg, Mr. Lewis’s catch topped the previous world record of 147kg for the heaviest Southern bluefin tuna caught on a 60kg line.
Because there are three bluefin tuna species — Southern, Atlantic and Pacific — Mr. Lewis’s catch had to be confirmed as a Southern bluefin through DNA analysis.
World records have to be “rock solidâ€, says recreational fishing council representative Alain Jorion.
“If anybody catches a snapper, everyone knows what a snapper is. But because the tuna was mounted before it could be properly identified, a sample had to be sent to NIWA for DNA analysis.â€
The taxidermist still had the tuna’s pectoral fin and liver but due to complications some time passed before samples could be sent to NIWA.
Tests eventually confirmed the fish was a Southern bluefin. A report was sent to the International Game Fish Association in Florida (IGFA) — the “Holy Grail†of game fish world records.
IGFA also had to verify that the breaking strain of Mr. Lewis’s fishing line did not exceed its 60kg rating and the reel, rod, trace lengths and hooks were legitimate.
“It’s quite a drama. Normally it doesn’t take so long but this was a real special one.â€
As regional board member of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council, Mr. Jorion coordinated the DNA work and application with the IGFA for the Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club.
Mr. Lewis caught the fish with a mono-filament line on a rod and reel south of Gable High, about 80 kilometers offshore from Tolaga Bay.
Caught from Dugald Hamilton’s boat Houston in the early hours of the morning, the Southern bluefin took about half an hour to reel in.
Mr. Lewis was in the right place at the right time, said Mr. Jorion.
A commercial fishing boat was nearby and broadbill swordfish were seen swimming around the Houston. The Houston’s crew put a line down to try to hook a broadbill.
“The tuna literally came out of the blue,†said Mr. Jorion. “It’s the first fishing world record in Gisborne, as far as I know.â€
Because of over-fishing around the Pacific, Southern bluefin tuna is an endangered species. The Ministry of Fisheries abides by international commercial quotas, set by international agreements, according to abundance.
“Amateurs have a small allowance.â€
Mr. Lewis’s record-breaking tuna is mounted on a wall at Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club.
