The Tuna Club of Tasmania inc

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The Tuna Club of Tasmania inc

The Tuna Club of Tasmania competition season runs from Nov to June every year and caters for everyone from Exprerienced old sea dogs to Jnr's and small fry's

Tuna Club of Tasmania inc History

The Tuna Club was born as a result of a meeting held in Hobart on the 17th September 1960 , by a group of persons interested in forming a Game Fishing Club . At that meeting a Sub – Committee was formed , charged with the task of drafting a Constitution , which could be tabled at a later meeting . The Sub – Committee met on the 24th September 1960 and drew up a recommended form of Constitution . On the 6th October 1960 , at Wrest Point Hotel , the Inaugural Meeting was held attended by about 35 persons . Mr H . H . Smart chaired the meeting , and the Constitution was adopted by those assembled . Elections were held immediately , with Mr J . E . Stanton being elected the Clubs first President . Mr T . Chopping as the Vice President , Mr C . W . Reardon as the first Secretary and Mr L . A . Phillips as the first Treasurer . At that meeting the President stated that “ The Tuna Club of Tasmania would soon become one of the most successful and best Game Fishing Clubs in the Southern Hemisphere “ . The Club grew slowly , establishing a firm membership base , and a growing reputation around the State , and elsewhere , as a Club of fine anglers . Two World Records were granted within the first two years , to women anglers . One of those Records , by Mrs Vanda Chopping for 70.76 kg Southern Bluefin Tuna on 37 kg line on the 6th May 1963 , still stands as an Australian Record . The Club established many Weigh Stations around the State , to cater for the growing interest in Game Fishing . From the very beginning , the Club has had a large core group of members based in the Derwent Valley . The Club was accepted as an affiliate of the Game Fishing Association of Australia’s Tasmanian body (The Tasmanian Game Fishing Association) in 1963 , thus allowing Tuna Club members to claim Australian and World Records for Game Fish species . Members of the Club claim more Records than any other Club in Tasmania , showing the keen interest in fishing for bigger fish on lighter line classes . The Club established a permanent Weigh Station at Pirates Bay , which is still used today , largely due to the efforts of Mr Tom Jenkins , who it is reported single handily built the premises . In 1985 the Club purchased a boat shed located alongside the original boat ramp as a Club Room for members to gather in relative comfort from the winter rains and cold . In 1992 the Committee began work to draw plans for a new building incorporating the existing Weigh Station into a Club Room . With approval from all bodies and the permission of Mrs Denise Willey , whose existing boat shed sat on the site required for the new building , work began to move Mrs Willey’s boat shed to a new site and preparations were made for the foundations of the new building . The new building was opened by the Minister of Fisheries , the Hon John Cleary , during the Australian Bluefin Tuna Contest in April 1994 . In recent years , improvements to the Rooms have been made , and a new dual width boat ramp was laid . The first recorded Tagging of fish was arranged through CSIRO in 1969 , when a CSIRO Officer showed a party of anglers on a charter boat how to tag a fish . Tagging is slowly gaining more acceptance as a means of preserving the species for future generations .The Club conducts the longest running Competition held in Australia , the first Australian Bluefin Tuna Contest was held in 1966 , and has been held every two years since . The Contest originally fitted in with all Australian Game Fishing Contest , held in Sydney every years odd numbered . The Contest has attracted interest from far and wide , with two American journalists writing an article for a famed American journal , and also in the Tasmanian magazine 40 degrees south predecessor Leatherwood . The Contest regularly attracts entries from all over Tasmania and from Victoria , in the early years anglers from South Australia – Mr Tom Bell , Mr Ernie Palmer and Mr Clive Whitrow fished regularly , as did Mr & Mrs Bob & Dolly Dyer , Dolly still holds a few Club and Australian Records from those heady days .The Club has a long and proud history as Tasmania’s Premier Game Fishing Club . The Club’s strength lies in its strong membership base , their loyalty to the Club and their faith in the Club’s administration . The Club is there for its members , so enjoy it to the fullest .

15/09/2026

Perhaps the most important issue facing our sport going forward is the current review of the Australian Marine Parks. It affects every state and most of the treasured fishing grounds that we take for granted. The importance and urgency of this campaign cannot be underestimated. The future of our sport is in jeopardy unless we get significant concessions.
The Australian Government has committed to reviewing management plans for Australia’s marine park networks. The government has also committed to expanding the area of Australian waters classified as “Highly Protected” to at least 30% by 2030. Meeting that target will require at least a further 523,980 km² of Australian waters to be declared no-fishing areas. It is important these additional no-fishing areas do not include your favourite fishing spots.
The Tasmanian Game Fishing Association in conjunction with the Game Fishing Association of Australia supports well-managed marine parks that protect Australia's unique marine environment while providing for sustainable recreational fishing. As new management plans for Australia's Commonwealth marine parks are developed, we encourage Parks Australia to:

Recognise recreational fishing as a valued low-impact activity in Commonwealth marine parks that provides significant social, cultural, economic and wellbeing benefits.

Retain access to important recreational fishing grounds, including reefs, canyons, banks, seamounts, game fishing grounds and offshore locations important to local fishers.

Only restrict recreational fishing where there is clear scientific evidence that fishing presents an unacceptable risk to a specific conservation objective of the marine park.

Where restrictions on fishing are demonstrated to be necessary, apply the least restrictive measures capable of achieving the specific desired conservation outcome.

Work collaboratively with recreational fishers to develop simple, practical management that is easy to understand, and regularly reviewed to ensure it delivers conservation outcomes and supports quality fishing experiences.

Recognise and support fishers as partners in marine conservation by investing in amenities to support recreational fishing and collaborative citizen science programs that harness the knowledge, experience and stewardship of fishing clubs and recreational fishers.

The Tasmanian Game Fishing Association stands with the Game Fishing Association of Australia and believes healthy marine ecosystems and quality recreational fishing experiences are complementary objectives. Well-designed marine parks should protect Australia's marine environment while celebrating recreational fishing as a valued and sustainable low-impact activity within Australia's Commonwealth marine parks.
By completing and signing one or both of the optional submissions below, you will be supporting the submission statement above being lodged on behalf of the Game Fishing Association of Australia. Whether anglers live or regularly fish in any of the marine parks, their voice is important to prevent the encroachment of exclusion zones.

The online version of the submission is designed for clubs to use through social media, circulated to members.

Online option link
https://www.gfaa.asn.au/marine-parks-submissions.php

For states, clubs, and individuals who choose to make a more comprehensive submission, the toolbox link, which includes maps and more background information, can be used. This is a coordinated effort from GFAA and the national peak recreational fishing body, Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF).

Toolbox option link

https://www.gfaa.asn.au/marine-parks

The links are embedded in the website but are not public at this stage.

Submissions to Marine Parks close 4:00pm AEST, 30 September 2026. GFAA needs completed submissions before 23rd September.

Game Fishing Club of Northern Tasmania
St.Helens Game Fishing Club
Southern Gamefish Club Inc
Sports Fishing Club of Tasmania Inc.
The Tuna Club of Tasmania inc
Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation
GFAA - The Game Fishing Association of Australia
TARFish

24/08/2026

🎣Last call for photos for our end of year presentations🎣

📸📸 It’s the time of year we would love to gather up some happy snaps from last season for our end of year presentation , weather it be your best catch, a pic of your boat or just some good times you have captured, please forward them to the Tuna Club messenger 🎣🎣

17/08/2026

The Annual Dinner and Trophy Presentation is being held on the 29th August , so get a group together and come along and join us for a great night at the MYCT ...

13/08/2026

Time is up , had a few nominations , now lets put it to a vote and get us a winner .
CLOSED * CLOSED * CLOSED * CLOSED * CLOSED
Calling final drinks on the Nunkeri trophy nominations , if you have a nomination to lodge , get them to our Secretary Robin Banks by 5pm Sunday 16th August . Our engraver is wait to add the newest name , get them nominations in ...

📸📸 It’s the time of year we would love to gather up some happy snaps from last season for our end of year presentation ,...

29/07/2026

18/07/2026

We are saddened by news this week of the passing of Kenneth Lampkin.
Ken was a respected member of the Tuna Club of Tasmania who fished many rallies and competitions over the past 30 odd years aboard his trusty steal game boat “Kenro 11”, a vessel he built. Ken’s involvement at the club was often centred around getting his family out game fishing, a love that’s been handed on to Son Simon and Grand Son Blake, who are both regulars at the club, and fish with a passion we feel sure is a legacy of Ken. With the onset of health challenges, Ken’s active involvement with the club unfortunately decreased, but he still managed to maintain regular visits to the weigh station for a chat and see what had been caught.
The President and Committee extend our sincere condolences to Lampkin family, as we wish Ken fair seas and may he Rest in Peace.

04/07/2026

*** a reminder to get those nominations in ***

Putting out a call for any nominations for the coverted Nunkeri Trophy award , please get your nomination to Robin Banks and the Committee will vote on it , then award it at our Annual Dinner and Trophy Presentation night , 29th August 2026 ...

01/07/2026

Due to an unfavourable forecast rally 1 for the 2026/27 season will be postponed until further notice,

🐟🐟 Reminder memberships for the new season are now due and available on our website, don’t forget to renew as there are still some good fish around

🐟🐟 Also any tags or weigh dockets should be passed on to the club for end of year tally up

🐟🐟 Our end of year dinner and AGM will be held on the 29th of August at the Motor Yact Club Tasmania, more info to follow in our newsletter which will be out by the end of the month

18/06/2026

Weather looking good for our last rally of the season tomorrow , log onto tuna base using channel 73, tight lines and we will see you all after fishing for a warm sav and cold b**r 🍻

17/06/2026

🎣🎣 This weekend Saturday the 20th marks the last rally for our 2025/26 season, there are good numbers of fish around and the weather looks perfect for them to bite, 🐟🐟

🏆 if you are lucky enough to weigh a fish the Pauline Grant memorial trophy is up for grabs

🏆 the club are also putting up 2x fishing tackle bag combos donated by the team at rod and range
1 for heaviest fish and
1 for highest tag and release angler

Let’s make it a good old fashioned shoot out and finish the season on a high
Beverages and savs available at the clubhouse after fishing 🎣

Address

Blow Hole Road Pirates Bay
Eaglehawk Neck, TAS
7179

Telephone

+61427656261

Website

http://www.tunacluboftasmania.asn.au/

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