Southern Bluefin Tuna

Stock status overview

Distribution

Catch trend

Fishing gear

• 

Overview

Tunas have firm, thick fillets and make succulent meat substitutes. It is importnat to know which cut of the tuna you have when deciding how you will cook or serve it raw. The belly of the tuna will have a much higher fat content, requiring much less heat to bring out the flavours. Caution when grilling this cut on the barbeque as the oil may burn leaving an acrid flavour, it is much better to use the back loin, which has a lower oil content. Cutlets and steaks can be cooked by grilling, barbecuing, baking, smoking, poaching or marinating. Japanese demand for sushi and sashimi has highlighted some species’ superb eating qualities raw. Grilled or barbecued, tunas are best seared and left rare centrally. Highlight with intense flavours such as charred capsicum, eggplant, balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressings on a bed of bitter greens and aioli, roasted garlic, and Japanese wasabi, soy and pickled ginger. Alternatively, prepare a baked dinner of tuna, with a herbed crust to seal in the flavour and prevent it drying out.