70TH ANNIVERSARY TACOMA TUNA POLING
RE-ENACTMENT
In February 2026, the Tacoma Preservation Society will celebrate 70 years since the two Norwegian / American brothers Chris and Sverre Jangaard arrived in Port Lincoln to advise on the development of the fledgling South Australian tuna industry.
A tuna pole fishing 70th anniversary re-enactment will provide the crew with a real experience of what it was like to be on board a tuna clipper fishing in the Great Australian Bight in 1956.
Ten years ago, MFV Tacoma and her crew celebrated the poling of the first truly commercial catch of southern blue fin tuna.
This 2015 re-enactment used traditional methods and equipment, right down to the original bamboo poles, live bait and south westers.
The aim was to provide participants with an authentic fishing experience. We are doing it again in February 2026 and we’d like you to be onboard.
On February 29th 1956, the Jangarrd brothers caught the first commercial haul at Rocky Island, south of Coffin Bay. The crew poled more than 600 fish in one afternoon.
The five-day 2026 Tacoma Tuna Poling Trip will attempt to reenact that event. We are aiming to pole a tonne of tuna – that will be around 100 fish.
In 1956, the Jangaard’s had fifteen attempts to catch live bait before they were finally successful using lights at night in Boston Bay.
The plan is to assemble a hearty and adventurous crew on FRIDAY 27th FEBRUARY at Port Lincoln. We will go baiting that night in the Boston Bay, in the same location where the live bait was netted in 1956.
Rocky Island is nine hours steaming from Port Lincoln. Our plan is to be fishing off Rocky on the 70th anniversary. As always, it’s weather dependent.
The 2026 Tacoma Tuna Poling Trip schedule starts on Friday 30th January and includes two woman’s trips and one men’s trip before our Rocky Island adventure. These trips are our major fundraisers for the year. They keep the MFV Tacoma an active vessel and are an important part of sustaining our maritime history.
By signing up for one of these 2026 Tacoma Tuna Poling adventures, you will become part of the history of the Tacoma.
Details of the 2026 Tuna Poling program can be found at www.tacoma.org.au
We look forward to seeing you on board in February next year.
Team Tacoma
M: 0428 821 125
