2025 Spanish mackerel stock assessment released
by Department of Primary Industries 8 May 07:17 BST
Industry review of Spanish mackerel stock assessment © Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Spanish mackerel stocks in Queensland are no longer at historically low levels. Our latest stock assessment indicates this iconic and much-loved fish have a stock biomass at a median of 34 per cent of unfished levels in Queensland waters.
Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) is an important commercial and recreational fish species in Queensland that is prized for its status as a high-quality eating fish and a powerful sports fish.
Fisheries Queensland used data sources including biological data (age, length and sex), catch estimates, catch rates, and discard estimates to inform their work. These data sets have been collected in Queensland waters through commercial and recreational catch sampling, boat ramp surveys, logbooks, and recreational fishing, and New South Wales catch data (logbooks and recreational fishing surveys).
At the suggestion of industry project team members, a survey of retired commercial east coast Spanish mackerel fishers was also conducted to assist in filling knowledge gaps regarding the history of catch and shark depredation patterns.
Fisheries Queensland will consult with the Sustainable Fisheries Independent Panel and will also brief members of the East coast Spanish mackerel Working Group and Reef Line Working Group regarding the stock assessment and discuss how this information will inform management arrangements required under the harvest strategy.
Thank you to all commercial fishers and recreational fishers for working with Fisheries Queensland to help support ongoing efforts to rebuild Queensland's Spanish mackerel stocks over the last 3 years. Seafood lovers can be assured that Queensland Spanish mackerel is sustainably sourced so we can continue to support our commercial fishers and enjoy this delicious fish.
Read the 2025 Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment report here.