Tuna for the boys
Fishing for tuna off the coast of Paphos can provide a superb morning’s sport but it is really only for the men
Dinos Ioakim (think Jacques Cousteau minus the woolly hat) is blessed with exceedingly strong sea legs, the tone and texture of his skin is akin to a mahogany sideboard and he is possessed of a seafaring wisdom gleaned from 25 years plying the Mediterranean. And he certainly doesn’t run a Jolly Roger type outing. A serious seaman and experienced deep sea diver, he runs a tight ship, so no nonsense or silly drunken escapades are appreciated aboard this captain’s vessel.
It was a 7am start for our photographer Barrie, experienced game fisherman on holiday from London Gary Pyner and keen anglers Ted and David, both Peyia residents. Fishing for tuna, specifically the albacore, was the name of the game and Dinos gunned his small but speedy craft the 4km out to see to get to the fishing grounds.
At a point known only to Dinos (he doesn’t consult maps, sonar or satellite systems), we reached the promised tuna run, an area these predators of the deep return to every year between the end of May and the beginning of September. The depth is around 300 meters, and in the distant horizon we spotted the marker pots of a commercial long line, stretched out for an estimated 100km to attract and catch tuna. This is factory fishing on a huge scale, with most of the catch being air freighted to end up as part of a Sushi platter in Japanese restaurants.
But not what we were here for. These ‘long lines’ are supposed to be dolphin friendly but they do catch birds, turtles and sharks, which is why Dinos with his small-scale operation and short lines bringing in one fish at a time mean there is minimum damage to the marine environment. That said, all types of tuna are over fished to a greater or lesser degree and Dinos’ boat is regularly spot checked by the fisheries department when he returns to ensure he is not abusing the catch allocation.
Two rods were cast from the side of the boat, each attached with a silver, red and white Rappala lure about the size of a banana. The lines, when fully extended, would run for 80 metres. Primed and ready, we sat waiting expectantly for the sharp bang on the line heralding a bite.
Fishing is not a sport where one gains instant gratification, indeed, to the uninitiated it seems to be merely a form of loafing, only compensated by the ever calming sea and silence, which means it’s also soporific. Out there, all at sea, with no tourist boats belting out music it’s a far gentler pace of life.
If it’s a slow fishing day, an angler sitting there poised in silence eyeing the surface for signs of activity could easily nod off, that is, until the reel starts to scream and everyone snaps into action. Eventually a crack like a gun went off and Gary had his tuna on the bait – the trick then was for him to keep his catch and wind it in. Once landed, the tuna is paralysed and bled to death – not for the feint hearted.
Tuna cruise the sea looking like cartoon torpedoes with long fins, huge eyes searching for anything that moves, pointed noses and muscular streamlined bodies with grooves along their sides that allow them to tuck in their fins to reduce water resistance.
For Gary, catching and landing his tuna was “the most fun you can have standing up”. His catch weighed a respectable 10kg – you can opt to take your prize home with you although for anyone staying in a hotel this is not a very realistic option.
An important note for any ladies who may wish to join their men folk on this ‘Hemmingway’ macho fish fest is that the facilities on the four-hour round trip are none existent. Add to that the fact that conversation is almost entirely centered around their last big catch, cricketing tales and the relative merits of different football teams and it’s easy to see why this trip is a boy thing.
Dinos Tuna Fishing
Tel: 99 655759, Fax: 26 822467. email [email protected]. Private hire is also available for small groups or individuals
