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Southern Garfish has a wide distribution around Australia. There are ten stocks across WA, SA, TAS and VIC. Six stocks are sustainable, two are depleted and two are recovering.

Southern Garfish has a wide distribution in Australia, extending from Lancelin in Western Australia, along the southern coast of mainland Australia and up the east coast to Eden in southern New South Wales, as well as the surrounding waters of Tasmania [Gomon et al. 2008].

There has been no research into the stock structure of Western Australian populations of Southern Garfish. However, given the limited dispersal typically displayed by Southern Garfish, and the large spatial separation between the west and south coasts of Western Australia, it is highly likely that the west and south coast support separate biological stocks of this species [Ye et al. 2002, Steer et al. 2009].

In Victoria, there has been no research into the stock structure for populations of Southern Garfish and they are assumed to constitute a single jurisdictional stock.

In Tasmania, differences in size and age composition between the north coast and the east coast indicate that there may be multiple biological stocks; however, no firm evidence exists at present, and current stock assessments assume a single state-wide biological stock [Moore et al. 2018].

A multidisciplinary otolith-based study (otolith chemistry and morphometrics) identified at least five biological stocks in South Australia: West Coast, Northern Spencer Gulf, Southern Spencer Gulf, Northern Gulf St. Vincent and Southern Gulf St. Vincent [Steer et al. 2009]. Given the level of spatial separation of Southern Garfish observed between the gulfs, it was assumed that Southern Garfish from the south east also comprised a separate biological stock.

Here, assessment of stock status is presented at the biological stock level—Western Australia West Coast and Western Australia South Coast; South Australia West Coast (Western Australia); Southern Spencer Gulf, Northern Spencer Gulf, Southern Gulf St. Vincent, Northern Gulf St. Vincent and South East (South Australia); Tasmania; and at the jurisdictional level—Victoria.

Western Australia South Coast

The current assessment of the Western Australia South Coast stock  is primarily based on estimates of biomass and fishing mortality from a data-limited Catch-MSY assessment model, compared periodically to reference levels relating to estimates of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The estimated biomass expected to achieve MSY (BMSY) is considered as the Threshold reference level for the stock, and 50 per cent BMSY is set as the limit reference level. The target level is considered as any stock levels above B_MSY.

Annual commercial catches of Southern Garfish taken in the South Coast Bioregion since 1976 have fluctuated between around 5 and 35t. The highest catch occurred in the early 1990’s, whilst the lowest catch occurred around 2000. Overall, there has been a slight downward trend in catch over the time series. The estimated fishing mortality experienced by the stock in 2019 was 0.01 year^-1, with the 95 per cent CLs ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 year^-1. As the upper 95 per cent CL of this performance indicator is well below the level of FMSY (0.17 year^-1), the stock is unlikely to deplete to a level at which recruitment could be impaired if the current catch level is maintained.

The point estimate for relative stock biomass in 2019 was high at 0.82 of the unfished level ( 95 per cent CLs = 0.64–1.0). As the current value of this performance indicator is above the threshold, the stock is considered not to be depleted to a level at which recruitment could be impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, Western Australia South Coast stock is classified as a sustainable stock.

Western Australia West Coast

The previous assessment in 2016 indicated that spawning biomass  was below the limit reference level (i.e. 20 per cent of unfished level) (Smith et al. 2016). This zone was closed to commercial and recreational fishing for Southern Garfish, and monitoring is being undertaken to assess signs of recovery.

The current assessment of the Western Australia West Coast biological stock is primarily based on estimates of biomass and fishing mortality from a data-limited Catch-MSY assessment model [Martell and Froese 2013], compared periodically to reference levels relating to estimates of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The estimated biomass expected to achieve MSY (BMSY) is considered as the Threshold reference level for the stock, and 50 per cent BMSY is set as the limit reference level. The target level is considered as any stock levels above B_MSY.

Annual catches of Southern Garfish from the Western Australia West Coast biological stock taken by commercial fisheries since 1976, increased from the beginning of the time series, peaking in the late 1990s. Catch has declined since then to all-time lows in recent years. The estimated fishing mortality (F) experienced by the stock in 2019 was 0.01 year^-1, with the 95 per cent CLs ranging from 0 t,o 0.02 year^-1. As the upper 95 per cent CL of this performance indicator is well below the level of FMSY (0.11 year^-1), the stock is unlikely to continue to deplete to a level at which recruitment will  be impaired if this F is maintained. 

The point estimate for relative stock biomass in 2019 was  0.4 of the unfished level ( 95 per cent CLs = 0.13–0.67). The  current value of this performance indicator has increased since 2017,and is above the limit BRP.  However it is still below the threshold BRP. Thus, although growing, the  stock may still be depleted to a level at which there is an increased risk of recruitment impairment. 

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Western Australia West Coast biological stock is classified as a recovering stock.

Southern Garfish biology [Ye et al. 2002, Smith et al. 2017]

Victoria – Indigenous (Management Methods) A person who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is exempt from the need to obtain a Victorian recreational fishing licence, provided they comply with all other rules that apply to recreational fishers, including rules on equipment, catch limits, size limits and restricted areas. Traditional (non-commercial) fishing activities that are carried out by members of a traditional owner group entity under an agreement pursuant to Victoria’s Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 are also exempt from the need to hold a recreational fishing licence, subject to any conditions outlined in the agreement. Native title holders are also exempt from the need to obtain a recreational fishing licence under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993.

South Australia – Commercial (catch) Data for the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery (South Australia) and the Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery (South Australia) have been combined because of confidentiality requirements.

Tasmania – Recreational (management methods) In Tasmania, a recreational licence is required for fishers using dropline or longline gear, along with nets, such as gillnet or beach seine.

Tasmania – Indigenous (management methods) In Tasmania, Indigenous people engaged in fishing activities in marine waters are exempt from holding recreational fishing licences, but must comply with all other fisheries rules as if they were licensed. Additionally, recreational bag and possession limits also apply. If using pots, rings, set lines or gillnets, aborigines must obtain a unique identifying code (UIC). The policy document Recognition of Aboriginal Fishing Activities for issuing a Unique Identifying Code (UIC) to a person for Aboriginal Fishing activity explains the steps to take in making an application for a UIC

Western Australia – Recreational (catch) Current shore-based recreational catch and effort in Western Australia is unknown. State-wide surveys of boat-based fishing are conducted regularly, most recently in 2015/16 [Ryan et al. 2017].

Commercial catch of Southern Garfish - note confidential catch not shown

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