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| Target species |
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) are large warm water perch that can grow up to 180cm in length. They are one of Queensland’s most important commercial species and are also targeted by recreational fishers. Young barramundi live in freshwater streams and rivers. Adults swim down into estuaries and coastal waters to spawn.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Fishnote on Barramundi
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| Status & trend |
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Data from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au extracted 30 June 2004, with permsission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Barramundi on Queensland’s east coast are mainly caught in estuarine areas within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Queensland produces about half of Australia’s wild-caught barramundi. Commercially, barramundi is almost exclusively a net fishery. There is also a large recreational barramundi fishery. Surveys of recreational fishers (RFISH) in 1997 and 1999 suggest that around 30 per cent of barramundi landed are caught by recreational fishers.
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries undertake stock assessments of target species including barramundi (see Welch et al, 2002). In the most recent assessment in 2002, they found that barramundi stocks on the east coast appeared healthy although further monitoring was required. The management of the inshore fin fish fishery is yet to be assessed by the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage.
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| Commercial effort in GBRWHA in 2003 |
Tonnes: 279.2
Boats: 169
Days: 6,596
Data from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au extracted 30 June 2004, with permsission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
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| Commercial GVP in GBRWHA in 2003 |
$1,954,100
Data from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au extracted 30 June 2004, with permsission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
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| Recreational catch (Queensland) |
Estimated at 175 tonnes in 1997 and 275 tonnes in 1999. An estimated 225,000 fish (weighing approx 560 tonnes) were caught and released in 1997.
Data from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au extracted 30 June 2004, with permsission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
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| Location of fishing |
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Estuarine and inshore areas along the whole of Queensland’s coast. Recreational fishers also take barramundi along the entire coast, with the highest take occurring in Far North Queensland.
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| Harvest methods |
Commercial fishers use set gill nets. Recreational fishers use hook and line. Indigenous fishers use lines, nets, spears and traps.
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| Management |
The fishery is regulated under Queensland’s Fisheries Regulations 1995.
Size limit (recreational and commercial): A minimum size of 58cm and a maximum of 120cm applies to barramundi on the East Coast of Queensland.
July 4, 2005ake and possession limit: Recreational fishers are limited to five barramundi.
Commercial fishers must have a licence with a fishery symbol from Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) allowing them to fish for barramundi. These licences are valid only for specific geographic locations, and also regulate fishing gear and practices.
There is a closed season for barramundi from midday 1 November to midday 1 February every year.
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| Monitoring & research |
Barramundi are monitored as part of the long-term monitoring program run by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F).
The effects of net fishing project co-ordinated by DPI&F and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) between 1997 and 2000 addressed biodiversity and bycatch issues in Queensland inshore waters.
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| More reading |
Welch D, Gribble N, Garrett R. 2002. Assessment of the barramundi fishery in Queensland - 2002. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Information Series QI02116.
Williams LE. (ed). 2002. Queensland's Fisheries Resources. Current condition and trends 1988-2000. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.
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