School Mackerel Scomberomorus queenslandicus also known as doggy mackerel is one of the smaller mackerels, growing up to 86cm long. They are similar to spotted mackerel, but can be distinguished by the distinct white patch on their dorsal fin. They school in surface waters and are often found in inshore bays and estuaries.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Fishnote on School Mackerel

Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

School Mackerel are mostly caught south of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), although they do occur along the whole east coast. Most commercial catch is using set mesh nets, drift nets or ring nets. Commercial line fishing is responsible for about half of GBRWHA catch, and a smaller, but growing proportion of catch south of the GBRWHA. There is also a significant recreational school mackerel fishery, using hook and line. Surveys of recreational fishers across Queensland (RFISH) in 1997 and 1999 suggest that between 40 and 65% of school mackerel landed are caught by recreational fishers.

There has been no formal assessment of the commercial or recreational school mackerel fisheries.

Tonnes: 27.1
Boats: 73
Days: 478
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

$162,800
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Estimated at 83 tonnes in 1997, and 88 tonnes in 1999.
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Most commercial school mackerel catch occurs on Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay.

Commercial fishers use set mesh nets, drift nets or ring nets, or hook and line. Recreational fishers use hook and line.

The fishery is regulated under Queensland ’s Fisheries Regulations 1995.

Size limit (recreational and commercial): A minimum size of 50cm applies to school mackerel on the East Coast of Queensland.

Take and possession limit: Recreational fishers are limited to 30 school mackerel on the East Coast of Queensland.

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 school mackerel. These licences also regulate fishing gear and practices.

The effects of net fishing project co-ordinated by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science between 1997 and 2000 addressed biodiversity and bycatch issues in Queensland inshore waters.

Begg GA. 1998. Reproductive biology of school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Queensland east-coast waters. Marine and Freshwater Research 49:261-270.

Begg GA, Cameron DS, Sawynok W. 1997. Movements and stock structure of school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Australian east-coast waters. Marine and Freshwater Research. 48:295-301.

Begg GA, Cappo M, Cameron DS, Boyle S, Sellin MJ. 1998a. Stock discrimination of school mackerel, Scomberomorus queenslandicus, and spotted mackerel, Scomberomorus munroi, in coastal waters of eastern Australia by analysis of minor and trace elements in whole otoliths. Fishery Bulletin. 96:653-666.

Begg GA, Hopper GA. 1997. Feeding patterns of school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Queensland east-coast waters. Marine and Freshwater Research. 48:565-571.

Begg GA, Keenan CP, Sellin MJ. 1998. Genetic variation and stock structure of school mackerel and spotted mackerel in northern Australian waters. Journal of Fish Biology. 53:543-559.

Begg GA, Sellin MJ. 1998. Age and growth of school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Queensland east-coast waters with implications for stock structure. Marine and Freshwater Research. 49:109-120.

Cameron DS, Begg GA. 2002. Fisheries biology and interaction in the northern Australian small mackerel fishery. Final Report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra. Project Number 92/144 and 92/144.02.

Williams LE. (ed). 2002. Queensland's Fisheries Resources. Current condition and trends 1988-2000. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.