Recreational fishers in Whakatāne are being urged to prepare for a safer Southern Bluefin Tuna season, with a free seminar being held at the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club on Friday night.

The event is part of the 2026 Southern Bluefin Tuna Pre-Season Seminar Series, a nationwide initiative by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) and Coastguard Tautiaki Moana aimed at improving offshore safety as the popular fishery continues to grow.

The seminar comes as increasing numbers of trailer boats venture further offshore in pursuit of southern bluefin tuna, often in challenging winter conditions where weather, fatigue, fuel management and bar crossings can quickly become serious safety issues.

Following positive feedback from last year’s programme, organisers have expanded the series to reach more fishing and boating communities across New Zealand.

NZSFC communications and operations lead Mike Plant said in a media release that the seminars were designed to give fishers practical information before they headed out on the water.

“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 southern bluefin tun fishing had become one of the most significant developments in recreational fishing in recent decades, attracting newcomers to serious offshore fishing.

“Boats are travelling further, fishing harder and chasing opportunities that didn’t exist a few years ago. We want people to enjoy it safely, whatever their experience, and come home with the stories worth telling.”

Topics covered in the seminar include trip planning, weather assessment, fuel and range management, communications, emergency preparedness, vessel safety checks, bar crossing preparation, crew readiness and offshore decision-making.

Fishing techniques and local tuna knowledge will also be discussed.

Coastguard Bar Awareness Programme lead and volunteer Simon Marshall said prevention remained one of the organisation’s most effective tools for reducing incidents at sea.

“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-to-attend seminars create an environment where fishers can learn from each other, ask questions and have honest conversations about the realities of offshore fishing. That practical knowledge-sharing can genuinely help save lives.”

The Whakatāne seminar runs from 7pm to 9pm on July 3 at the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club.