History 1990’s

The 90’s was the era of the Lexus tournaments which was almost a game changer in terms of the profile and prestige that it brought to the fishery.

And plenty of innovations, one of which was the first underwater camera seen on the reef.

The Lexus Tournaments ran for most of the 90’s and also changed the face of fishing tournaments. It was the richest tournament in the southern hemisphere in its time.

In the early 1990’s, an issue that was to impact heavily on this association and its members came into the forefront. Domestic longlining in the tuna and marlin rich waters of “Area E”. The association was instrumental in obtaining a federal government ban on the commercial take of Blue and Black marlin in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ). It was a long, hard battle, and many members worked tirelessly to protect marlin species from longline by-catch. Today, the association’s members and the local long line fleet enjoy a good relationship, sharing information and ideas.

Boats started to change and became more sophisticated. Generators, air-conditioning, better refrigeration. Living the high life on the high seas!