Port Lincoln's tuna industry is cautiously optimistic about the new season. There are reports of top quality fish coming back to port, but many are mindful of last season's poor prices in Japan.
Four companies took advantage of the early season catches in December.
Industry spokesman Brian Jeffriess says once most of the fleet return from the Great Australian Bight in March; a genuine assessment can be made about this year's tuna stocks. “I don't think anyone should be shouting from the rooftops that the stock is in top class condition, it really is early days. We'll see in January, February,†he said.