Two leading marine organisations are teaming up to help keep fishers safe as southern bluefin tuna fishing continues to surge in popularity across New Zealand.

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) and Coastguard Tautiaki Moana are relaunching their Southern Bluefin Tuna Seminar Series for 2026, expanding the programme with additional events nationwide following strong feedback from last year.

Originally launched in response to a fatal 2024 season and rising safety concerns in the rapidly growing fishery, the seminars have evolved into a community-led initiative to equip fishers with practical, real-world knowledge before heading offshore.

The popularity of southern bluefin tuna has drawn more trailer boats further out to sea, often in challenging winter conditions where weather, fatigue and fuel management can quickly become critical factors.

The seminar series is designed to reduce those risks by promoting better preparation, stronger trip planning and safer decision-making.

The Waihī Beach Bowentown Boating and Fishing Club is hosting one of the seminars on Thursday, May 28, from 7pm-9pm for anyone interested in attending.

In a media release, NZSFC communications and operations lead Mike Plant said the focus was on practical learning rather than instruction.

“These seminars aren’t about lecturing people or telling them how to fish,” Plant said.

“They’re about sharing practical lessons, local knowledge, close calls and the things that genuinely make a difference offshore.”

Plant said the tuna fishery was one of the most exciting developments they’ve seen in recreational fishing in decades, and with that comes more people taking on their first serious offshore trips.

He said boats were travelling further, fishing harder, and chasing opportunities that didn’t exist a few years ago.

“We want people to enjoy it safely and come home with stories worth telling.”

The sessions cover key safety topics, including trip planning, weather windows, communications, emergency preparedness, fuel and range management, bar crossings, vessel checks, crew readiness and offshore decision-making. Fishing techniques and local tuna knowledge will also be shared.

Coastguard volunteer and Bar Awareness Programme lead Simon Marshall said prevention remained a key priority.

“When people are better prepared before they leave the ramp, everyone benefits – the skipper, the crew, their families, and the wider boating community,” Marshall said.

“These free seminars create a space where fishers can learn from each other, ask questions and have honest conversations about offshore realities. That knowledge-sharing can genuinely help save lives.”

The series also highlights the collaborative nature of the fishery, with fishing clubs, experienced skippers, Coastguard crews and local businesses all contributing to safer boating education.