Blue salmon (blue threadfin) Eleutheronema tetradactylum
King salmon (king threadfin) Polydactylus macrochir

Threadfin salmon are marine fish that prefer inshore coastal waters and tidal rivers, forming large schools during autumn and spring. There are two species of threadfin commonly fished on Queensland’s east coast – blue and king salmon. These species have different life histories and biology. They both have specialised filaments at the base of each pectoral fin, which are used to locate food such as prawns, crabs and worms along the floor of mangroves, muddy bays and river mouths.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Fishnote on Blue threadfin salmon

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Fishnote on King threadfin salmon

Threadfin salmon on Queensland’s East Coast are mainly caught within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA). It is almost exclusively a net fishery, although recreational fishers may also catch threadfin using hook and line.

Within the GBRWHA blue threadfin account for about 60 per cent and king threadfin 40 per cent of threadfin salmon catch. South of the GBRWHA to the New South Wales border, king threadfin are caught more than blue, making up about two thirds of threadfin catch.

There is no information about recreational or Indigenous fishing of threadfin.

There has been no formal assessment of the commercial or recreational threadfin salmon fishery, but Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) carried out a preliminary assessment in 2002. This assessment found that analysis of catch, effort and catch per unit effort indicated that stock of both threadfin species are not currently under threat.

Tonnes: 304
Boats: 425
Days: 9,116
Data from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

$1,214,900
Data from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Unknown

Estuarine and inshore areas along the whole of Queensland's East coast. Catch of blue threadfin is more concentrated close to populated areas such as Townsville, Bowen and Rockhampton.

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

Commercial fishers use set gill nets. Recreational fishers use hook and line. Indigenous fishers use lines, nets, spears and traps.

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

Size limit (recreational and commercial): A minimum size of 40cm applies to both King and Blue threadfin salmon on the East Coast of Queensland. There is no take and possession limit.

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 threadfin. These licences also regulate fishing gear and practices.

The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries undertake stock assessments of target species including threadfin salmon with descriptions of bycatch. (see Assessment of the threadfin salmon fishery in Queensland - 2002).

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.

Welch D, Gribble N, Garrett R. 2002.  Assessment of the threadfin salmon fishery in Queensland - 2002.  Queensland Government, Department of Primary Industries information series QI02115.  20p.

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