Yellowfin Tuna

How to identify yellowfin tuna

The back is metallic dark blue, fading through yellow to silver on the belly. The belly often has about 20 broken, near-vertical pale lines. The dorsal and anal fins and the finlets behind them are bright yellow, and the finlets have a narrow black edge. Large fish grow very long second dorsal and anal fins. The pectoral fins usually reach past the start of the second dorsal fin but not past the end of its base.

Where it lives in New Zealand

Yellowfin live in warm ocean water north of New Zealand and move south to about East Cape in summer. Most are caught from December to March between East Cape and North Cape, with some found north of North Cape in September and October. Recreational fishers target them as far south as the Wairarapa coast. They are found over the outer shelf, both above and below the thermocline, and often school by size.

How to catch it

Trolled skirted lures are the main method in most areas. In the eastern Bay of Plenty, anglers also find schools around bait balls and use live bait, cubing, spinning or jigging. Heavy traces and reels with plenty of line help with long runs. Yellowfin are one of the most commonly tagged and released species in New Zealand game fishing. Numbers here change a lot from year to year.

Eating

The flesh is dense and lean. Its colour and firm texture make it a common choice for sashimi. It is also seared quickly in a hot pan or on the barbecue and served medium-rare in the centre. Cooking it all the way through dries it out, so keep cooking times short.

Recipes

• Yellowfin Tuna Tataki (Just One Cookbook)

Good to know

Yellowfin are in the Quota Management System. They must keep swimming with their mouths open to pass water over their gills. The maximum reported age is 18 years.

Questions

Where do yellowfin tuna come from in NZ?

Yellowfin live in warm ocean water north of New Zealand and move south to about East Cape in summer. Most are caught from December to March between East Cape and North Cape, and recreational fishers target them as far south as the Wairarapa coast. Numbers vary a lot between years.

How do you catch yellowfin tuna in NZ?

Trolling skirted lures is the main method. In the eastern Bay of Plenty, anglers also find schools around bait balls and use live bait, cubing, spinning or jigging. Use heavy traces and reels with plenty of line, because yellowfin make long runs.

How do you eat yellowfin tuna?

Raw or barely cooked. The dense, lean flesh is a common choice for sashimi. It can also be seared quickly in a hot pan or on the barbecue and served medium-rare in the centre. Cooking it all the way through dries it out, so keep cooking times short.