Hi Finin its certainly not the first. A fish or two is perhaps hooked every other year around the oil rigs which hold a lot of bait in their own right, they are a mightly big fad and well inside the shelf although a bloody long run from any port. The NZ Starbanks out east are well known for yellowfin and beakies just not many are game - its a serious distance and you will be on your own. I guess from an east vic perspective, new frontiers may be opening up because the guys have the boats to try these days and they have more of a clue than in the past, technology kinda helps too. Your right, JJ would be right on the money to talk to.
Cheers