Calling All Fishers To Help Monitor Mackerel

[Ken A]

South-east Queensland looks set to have a bumper mackerel season this summer which could greatly assist the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) in monitoring east coast mackerel stocks.

The DPI&F Long-Term Monitoring Program is currently monitoring Spanish and spotted mackerel to ensure the sustainability of these popular fish species.

Recreational fishers are being encouraged to assist in the program by providing researchers with filleted fish frames to help collect the necessary information from each fish.

DPI&F fisheries biologist Jonathan Staunton-Smith said with the mackerel season in the south-east looking to be a good one, he anticipated a healthy supply of fish frames to study.

“The more frames we receive, the better our ability to assess the status of stocks and ensure Spanish and spotted mackerel are maintained at sustainable levels,†he said.

“We are also collecting similar information from the commercial sector thanks to the co-operation of seafood processors and commercial fishers.

“Importantly, the information will help to assess the impact of current management practices, including recent changes to recreational size and possession limits and a cap on annual commercial catches.â€

Dr Staunton-Smith said information was being collected on the length, sex and age structure of east coast mackerel stocks by examining commercial and recreational catches.

“Like many other species, length of mackerel on its own is not a good indicator of age because of a large degree of variability in their individual growth rates and females also grow faster than males,†he said.

“However, the age of fish can be determined from the otoliths or ear bones which is why researchers need the frames.â€

People who supply their mackerel frames for research also have a chance of winning a $100 gift voucher.

Peter Stevens from Agnes Water and Ted Formosa from Kurrimine Beach are the winners for December.

A winner from north and south Queensland will also be drawn in March and June.

Fish frames can be left at selected drop off points around the state. For a full list of participating centres visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fisheriesmonitoringprogram/ and go to the pages on Spanish or spotted mackerel.