Table 1: Stock status determination for Yellowfin Bream
Jurisdiction |
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria |
Stock |
Eastern Australian
(ECIFFF, EGF, GLF, OHF, OTLF) |
Stock status |
|
Sustainable |
Indicators |
Commercial catch and CPUE, length and age, mortality rate |
CPUE = catch per unit effort; ECIFFF = East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (Queensland); EGF = Estuarine General Fishery (New South Wales); GLF = Gippsland Lakes Fishery (Victoria); OHF = Ocean Haul Fishery (New South Wales); OTLF = Ocean Trap and Line Fishery (New South Wales)
The stock structure of Yellowfin Bream has been examined through tagging studies and genetic investigations. Two tagging studies—one in New South Wales 1 and one in Queensland2—have suggested the possibility of separate populations, based on a lack of significant movements between estuaries. However, a genetic investigation has shown that this species forms a single east coast population, with a general northward dispersal of adults and a southward dispersal of larvae3.
Towards the southern end of their distribution (southern New South Wales to East Gippsland), Yellowfin Bream are known to hybridise with Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), especially in areas where the two species are sympatric4–6. Based on these findings, the stock status of Yellowfin Bream is reported at a biological stock level.
Eastern Australian biological stock
The cross-jurisdictional eastern Australian stock has components in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Each jurisdiction assesses that part of the biological stock that occurs in its waters. The status presented here for the entire biological stock has been established using evidence from all three jurisdictions.
In the Queensland part of the eastern Australian stock, the commercial catch and nominal catch rate of Yellowfin Bream are rebuilding after a change to the minimum legal size (2 cm longer), and an increase in areas protected from fishing in the Moreton Bay Marine Park in 2009; the catch and nominal catch rates were 107 tonnes (t) at 28 kg/day in 2010, and 153 t at 44 kg/day in 20137. Length structures from fishery-dependent monitoring of Yellowfin Bream from 2007 onwards reflect this rebuilding catch trend. The fishery-dependent age structures indicate a stable population, with variable and continued recruitment7. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of the Queensland part of the biological stock is unlikely to be recruitment overfished.
Nominal effort in the Queensland commercial fishery in 2013 (3499 days fished) was much lower than in previous years (mean of 3944 days fished from 2009 to 2012), resulting in an improved commercial catch rate7. The number of recreational anglers in the south of the state, where Yellowfin Bream are most abundant, decreased between 2001 and 2010. Together with the introduction of a possession limit, this is likely to have reduced targeted fishing effort by recreational anglers7. The current minimum legal size (25 cm total length) for Yellowfin Bream in Queensland applies to both commercial and recreational fishers, and allows a proportion of mature fish to spawn for one or even several years before becoming available to the fishery. Total mortality estimates for Yellowfin Bream in Queensland decreased between 2007 and 2010, and have remained steady since (reflecting the change in minimum legal size and possession limit7). Estimates indicate that fishing mortality (F) has been lower than natural mortalily (M) for the years 2007 to 2013. Yellowfin Bream have a moderate rate of survival (lower for gut-hooked fish) when released by recreational anglers, thus reducing impacts on this part of the stock8–11. The above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing pressure is unlikely to cause the Queensland part of the biological stock to become recruitment overfished.
The commercial catch from New South Wales accounts for about two-thirds of the total catch of the eastern Australian Yellowfin Bream stock. Reported commercial landings of Yellowfin Bream in this state also include Black Bream and the hybrids formed by the two species. The median commercial catch rates of Yellowfin Bream in New South Wales have been relatively steady for the past 5 years and, for commercial fish trapping in particular, slightly higher than those observed in the previous 5 years12. The length composition of the landings for this species has also been relatively stable since the 1950s. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of the New South Wales part of the biological stock is unlikely to be recruitment overfished.
In New South Wales, nominal effort in 2013 (number of fisher-days) in the Estuarine General Fishery (approximately 18 694 days, summed across methods), the Ocean Haul Fishery (approximately 539 days) and the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery (approximately 2940 days, summed across methods) was among the lowest ever reported, especially for the former two fisheries12. Historically low nominal effort levels contributed to the 2013 New South Wales landings of 240 t being approximately 30 per cent less than the long-term annual average of 344 t12. Recent size compositions in landings suggest no large changes in the stock. The minimum legal commercial and recreational length in New South Wales (22.5 cm fork length) provides an opportunity for Yellowfin Bream to spawn before recruiting to the fishery. Although this species is primarily harvested by the recreational sector in New South Wales, recent estimates of recreational fishing pressure are unavailable. The above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing pressure is unlikely to cause the New South Wales part of the biological stock to become recruitment overfished.
Compared with New South Wales and Queensland, the commercial catch of Yellowfin Bream from the Victorian part of the eastern Australian stock is very low (less than 1 per cent of the total catch). There is no commercial fishing in Mallacoota, and catches from the Gippsland Lakes are very small. The proportion of the eastern Australian Yellowfin Bream stock that inhabits Victorian waters is very small, and unlikely to significantly influence the stock dynamics of the eastern Australian stock13. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of the Victorian part of the biological stock is unlikely to be recruitment overfished.
The total annual catch of Yellowfin Bream by recreational fishers in Victoria has not been estimated. Recreational fishing effort is managed under regulations for bream (all species), using a minimum legal size (28 cm) and a bag/possession limit (maximum of 10 fish). Fish must be landed whole or in carcass. Less than five commercial fishers accessed the fishery in 2013. The above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing pressure is unlikely to cause the Victorian part of the biological stock to become recruitment overfished.
On the basis of the evidence provided above, the entire biological stock is classified as a sustainable stock.
Table 2: Yellowfin Bream biology2,14
Longevity and maximum size |
~20 years; ~400 mm FL |
Maturity (50%) |
Males: 190 mm FL
Females: 200–210 mm FL |
FL = fork length
Figure 1: Distribution of reported commercial catch of Yellowfin Bream in Australian waters, 2013 (calendar year)
Table 3: Main features and statistics for Yellowfin Bream fisheries in Australia, 2013 (calendar year)
Jurisdiction |
Queensland |
New South Wales |
Victoria |
Fishing methods |
Commercial |
Gillnet |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Seine net |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Tunnel net |
✓ |
|
|
Fish trap |
|
✓ |
|
Recreational |
Rod and line |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Spearfishing |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Indigenousa,b,c |
|
|
|
|
Management methods |
Commercial |
Limited entry |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Size limits |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Fishing gear and method restrictions |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Spatial closures |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Temporal closures |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Recreational |
Size limits |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Bag limits |
|
✓ |
✓ |
Possession limits |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Fishing gear and method restrictions |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Spatial closures |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Indigenousa,b,c |
Test |
|
|
|
Active vessels |
|
167 in ECIFFF |
301 in EGF
39 in OHF
88 in OTLF |
<5 in GLF |
Catch |
Commercial |
149 t in ECIFFF |
189 t in EGF
25 t in OHF
12 t in OTLF |
<1 t in GLF |
Recreational |
212 t15 (2010–11) |
728 t16 (2000–01) |
Unknown |
Indigenous |
Unknown |
Unknown |
None |
Markets |
Domestic |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Export |
|
|
|
ECIFFF = East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (Queensland); EGF = Estuarine General Fishery (New South Wales); GLF = Gippsland Lakes Fishery (Victoria); OHF = Ocean Haul Fishery (New South Wales); OTLF = Ocean Trap and Line Fishery (New South Wales)
a In Queensland, under the Fisheries Act 1994 (Qld), Indigenous fishers in Queensland are able to use prescribed traditional and noncommercial fishing apparatus in waters open to fishing. Size and possession limits, and seasonal closures do not apply to Indigenous fishers. Further exemptions to fishery regulations may be applied for through permits.
b In New South Wales, Indigenous fishers are able to use traditional and noncommercial apparatus to take double the recreational bag limit. Further exemptions to fishery regulations can be obtained through permits.
c In Victoria, regulations for managing recreational fishing are also applied to fishing activities by Indigenous people. Recognised Traditional Owners (groups that hold native title or have agreements under the Victorian Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010) are exempt (subject to conditions) from the requirement to hold a recreational fishing licence, and can apply for permits under the Fisheries Act 1995 that authorise customary fishing (e.g. different catch and size limits, or equipment). The Indigenous category in Table 3 refers to customary fishing undertaken by recognised Traditional Owners. In 2012–13, there were no applications for customary fishing permits to access Yellowfin Bream.

Figure 2: Commercial catch of Yellowfin Bream in Australian waters, 2000 to 2013 (calendar years)
In Queensland, coastal-, river- and estuary-set gillnets have been shown to have minimal impact on the environment and are quite selective in their harvest17. Bycatch is generally low compared with the harvest of the target species17. Fishers using tunnel nets operate under an industry-developed code of best practice18. Marine turtles are released with minimal difficulty, and undersized or unwanted catch is returned to the water alive.
In New South Wales, seining in estuaries can incur large amounts of bycatch of undersized organisms and unwanted species, but the used of appropriately sized mesh can reduce mortalities of these species19–21.
Studies conducted in New South Wales indicate that gillnets used in estuaries can incur substantial amounts of bycatch, including the capture of undersized individuals of key species22,23.
Seabirds and other marine life often become entangled in discarded recreational fishing tackle24. In south-east Queensland, a Fishing Line Recovery Bin program was instigated in 2012 to minimise the occurrence of discarded tackle at popular shore-based fishing locations.
- Yellowfin Bream are dependent on estuarine and inshore coastal habitats throughout their life cycle25,26. Physical impacts on coastal marine vegetation, subsurface topography and water quality are likely to influence the resilience and productivity of Yellowfin Bream populations at local scales.
a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland
b Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales
c Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria