South Australia's southern bluefin tuna fishers are reporting one of the best starts to the season since the 1960s, saying the risk of an early season has paid off.
An early start in December was prompted by a new marketing approach to better capitalise on a more difficult export market.
The president of the Tuna Boat Owners Association, Brian Jeffriess, says the early start has proved a gamble that is paying off. He says incredibly strong catches of quality fish are being reported, with a normal season finishing mid-March.