Spotted Mackerel (Scomberomorus munroi) are one of the smaller mackerels, growing to just under one metre long. They are inshore, schooling fish that spawn in northern Queensland waters in the spring, then migrate south.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Fishnote on spotted mackerel

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

Spotted Mackerel are mostly caught south of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), although they do occur along the whole east coast.

Commercial catches in 1999-2000 increased significantly in response to the development of lucrative export markets. Anecdotal reports suggesting that recreational catches have decreased significantly, and concern over the ecological sustainability of spotted mackerel stocks, led to a change in management in 2002.

Since May 2003 commercial net fishers have been prohibited from targeting spotted mackerel, and new catch limits were put in place for the fishery. Most commercial catch is now hook and line. There is also a significant recreational spotted mackerel fishery, using hook and line. Surveys of recreational fishers across Queensland (RFISH) in 1997 and 1999 suggest that around 40 per cent of spotted mackerel landed are caught by recreational fishers.

A formal stock assessment of the spotted mackerel fishery has been conducted and is in press.

Tonnes: 33.8
Boats: 79
Days: 468
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

$202,900
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Estimated at 148 tonnes in 1997 and 150 tonnes in 1999.
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Commercial spotted mackerel catch occurs along the length of Queensland’s east coast, with the highest levels of catch in Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay.

Commercial fishers and 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 60cm applies to spotted mackerel on the East Coast of Queensland.

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

Commercial net fishers July 18, 2005catch of up to 15 spotted mackerel is allowed. There is an in-possession limit of 150 spotted mackerel for commercial line fishers, and total allowable commercial catch across the whole fishery is capped at 140 tonnes a year (see Fisheries Regulations 1995)

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

Spotted mackerel are part of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) long-term monitoring program.

CRC Reef is conducting a Review and assessment of the Australian east coast Spotted Mackerel stock.

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.

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 (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.

Last updated July 18, 2005