Big fish have returned to Cook Islands waters, says Timothy Vaikai owner of the Fresh Fish Company.

Vaikai said the amount of fish caught had been consistent compared to the same time in previous years.

“Our local fishermen are catching tonnes of fish a week thanks to FADS (Fish Aggregation Devices) that are placed in the ocean by MMR (Ministry of Marine Resources), as well as drifting floats that circulate around the Pacific attracting fish to them,” he said.

“As per previous years, this is expected during these summer months.”

The Fresh Fish Company has operated for more than a decade as a middleman between local fishermen and buyers like Prime Foods.

Vaikai said demand for fish was slowly increasing from tourists now being in the country.

“From a business perspective, this is welcome news. I don't know how we will be able to offload all this catch if it weren't for tourists being back on the island.”

For the past three months, the company has been selling Yellowfin tuna at an average of $27/kg.

Tina King from Akura Fishing Charters said the fishing has been really good over the past couple of weeks.

She said it was because there was a “big floaty” that attracted the fish offshore.

Marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi are the main fish being caught at the moment.

“The season has been really good, especially compared to last year,” she said.

Wayne Stewart from Wahoo Fishing Charters said: “The Season has been good, just not too many customers”.

Wahoo Fishing Charters have been going out fishing around two to three times a week since the borders reopened.

Vaikai said the fishing was tough during last year's winter months, which was also the case in previous winters.

“We do expect the same thing to happen this year come May, June and onwards,” he said. 

“What we are noticing with those offseasons, is that over the years, the supply is getting worse over time.”

He said locals need to take advantage of the current abundance of fish being caught.