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Barramundi (2023)

Lates calcarifer

  • Brien Roberts (Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Northern Territory)
  • Fabian Trinnie (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia)
  • Stephen Newman (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia)
  • Olivia Whybird (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland)

Date Published: June 2023

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Summary

Of the nine Barramundi stocks across WA, the NT and QLD targeted by commercial fishers, seven are sustainable. The Princess Charlotte Bay stock is undefined as it no longer has catch and effort indicators due to management changes. The South-East Coast stock at the species' cool-water range limits in southern QLD is undefined.

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Stock Status Overview

Stock status determination
Jurisdiction Stock Stock status Indicators
Western Australia Western Australia Sustainable

Catch, effort, CPUE

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Stock Structure

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) are a large, predatory fish distributed across most of the Indo-West Pacific region, from the Arabian Gulf to China, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea and northern Australia [FAO 2020]. They are protandrous hermaphrodites (maturing as males first, then changing sex to female; Moore [1979]) that exhibit individual variation in habitat utilisation/migratory patterns during their life history [Crook et al. 2016]. The productivity of Barramundi populations is closely linked to variation in rainfall, with wetter years linked to enhanced juvenile growth, recruitment, and fishery productivity [Staunton-Smith et al. 2004; Robins et al. 2005; Halliday et al. 2010; Leahy and Robins 2021; Crook et al. 2022].

The genetic stock structure of Barramundi in Australia is complex. Keenan [1994] described 16 subpopulations of this species (through allozyme analyses) across most of its Australian range, with each subpopulation encompassing an individual catchment, or several adjacent catchments. More recently, Jerry et al. [2013] and Loughnan et al. [2019] described 21 distinct subpopulations (through microsatellite analyses) from samples collected over a wider geographic range than that of Keenan [1994]; noting that both recent works were based on the same set of tissue samples, many of which were initially collated by Keenan [1994].  

Difficulties in obtaining relevant biological and catch-and-effort information from each biological stock in Western Australia and the Northern Territory precludes individual assessments of these stocks. Therefore, the assessments for these jurisdictions were undertaken at the level of the management unit (Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery, Western Australia; and Barramundi Fishery, Northern Territory). For Queensland, six biological stocks described by Keenan [1994] [Fisheries Queensland 2010] with an additional seventh stock of ‘vagrant’ fish, that venture south of 26⁰ South have been assessed. An eighth stock of Barramundi was identified in Queensland in more recent studies [Jerry et al. 2013; Loughnan et al. 2019], however tag-recapture information indicates that the boundaries of these subpopulations are somewhat porous, with individual fish moving between subpopulations [Infofish Australia 2014, 2020]). Additionally, there are practical limits on the number of assessments that can be undertaken on this species. The seven biological stocks assessed in Queensland are: Southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Gulf of Carpentaria, Princess Charlotte Bay, North-East Coast, Mackay, Central East Coast and South-East Coast.

Here, assessment of stock status is presented at the management unit level—Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery (Western Australia), Barramundi Fishery (Northern Territory); and the biological stock level—Southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Gulf of Carpentaria, Princess Charlotte Bay, North-East Coast, Mackay, Central East Coast and South-East Coast (Queensland).

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Stock Status

Western Australia

Barramundi is an indicator species [see Newman et al. 2018] for the North Coast Nearshore and Estuarine Resource (NCNER) and as such the stock status of Barramundi subsequently determines the risk-level for the sustainability of the suite of species in the NCNER. Barramundi is currently only landed commercially in the Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery (KGBMF). The harvest strategy of the KGBMF is based on a constant commercial catch policy, where the annual commercial catches of Barramundi are allowed to vary within a target catch range, based on a historical catch range in a period when the fishery was stable (1989–99), and exploitation was considered sustainable. The target catch range was calculated as 33–44 tonnes (t) [Trinnie et al. 2023] with a limit reference range of 23–54 t. This assessment of Barramundi is supported by predictions for biomass and harvest rate from a data-limited Catch-MSY assessment model, with catches compared periodically to a model prediction for maximum sustainable yield (MSY).

In 2022, commercial Barramundi catch within the KGBMF of 46.7 t was above the upper end of the target catch range, but below the upper end of the limit range. Over the past 10 years, commercial catches have generally been between the upper end of the target catch range but below upper end of limit range. Commercial catch per unit effort (CPUE) over the last 10 years has generally been increasing, reaching historically high levels. Although there is some uncertainty regarding the reliability of this CPUE as an index of abundance for Barramundi, the trend is not indicative of a substantive decline in abundance of this species in recent years. Moreover, overall effort directed towards this species has declined, in part due to two commercial licenses being removed in 2013 from the Broome coast area of the fishery [Newman et al. 2022], along with closures to commercial gillnet fishing along the Pilbara coast and Eighty-mile beach areas in the mid-2000s. This large area of the NCNER is now only exposed to recreational, charter, and indigenous fishing. 

Catch levels of Barramundi across the NCNER over the last 10 years (2013–22) have ranged from 42.7–78.9 t, with a mean annual catch of 60.2 t, with the latter value slightly higher than the average catch for the previous 10 years at 55.4 t. Barramundi are mostly caught by commercial fishing, with the recreational and charter component of the total catch averaging approximately16% in the past 10 years. The Catch-MSY model applied to annual catch data for Barramundi since 1976, indicate that catches since the mid-1990s remained at or below the mean predicted value for maximum sustainable yield (MSY). This is consistent with the predicted values for biomass in recent years being slightly above BMSY, and fishing mortality remaining below FMSY. However, it is important to recognise that Catch-MSY is a data-limited technique with relatively strong assumptions, dependent on user inputs. For this assessment, these included specified ranges for initial depletion (0.4–0.8, based on assumed catch pre-1976), final depletion (0.15–0.7, calculated by the program based on recent catches relative to maximum recorded annual catch) and low resilience (r=0.1–0.6, noting that this species has a longevity of >30 years). The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. Furthermore, the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to be sufficiently high to cause the stock to become recruitment overfished.

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

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Biology

Barramundi biology [Davis 1982; Roberts et al. 2021; Budd et al. 2022]

Biology
Species Longevity / Maximum Size Maturity (50 per cent)
Barramundi

35 years, 1,500 mm TL

Maturity (50%) Northern Territory: Males 2–5 years, 730 mm TL Females 5–7 years, 910 mm TL.

Queensland: Males 2–5 years, 640 mm TL, Females 5–10 years, 770–920 mm TL.

Western Australia: Females 7 years, 930 mm.

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Distributions

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Barramundi

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Tables

Fishing methods
Western Australia
Commercial
Gillnet
Indigenous
Spearfishing
Hook and Line
Unspecified
Handline
Recreational
Spearfishing
Hook and Line
Handline
Charter
Hook and Line
Handline
Management methods
Method Western Australia
Charter
Bag limits
Limited entry
Passenger restrictions
Possession limit
Size limit
Spatial closures
Spatial zoning
Commercial
Gear restrictions
Limited entry
Seasonal closures
Size limit
Spatial closures
Spatial zoning
Vessel restrictions
Indigenous
Laws of general application
Recreational
Bag limits
Gear restrictions
Licence
Licence (Recreational Fishing from Boat License)
Possession limit
Size limit
Spatial closures
Catch
Western Australia
Commercial 48.97t
Charter 4.58 t
Indigenous Unknown
Recreational 5.81 t ± 1.77 se

Western Australia – Recreational (catch). Boat-based recreational catch between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 from Ryan et al. [2022]. Please note that catches of Barramundi are underestimates as shore-based and boat-based fishers that only operated in freshwater were out of scope of the survey.

Western Australia – Recreational (management methods). A Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence is required for the use of a powered boat to fish or to transport catch or fishing gear to or from a land-based fishing location.

Western Australia – Indigenous (management methods). Subject to application of Section 211 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), and the exemption from a requirement to hold a recreational fishing licence, the non-commercial take by Indigenous fishers is covered by the same arrangements as that for recreational fishing.

Northern Territory - Indigenous (management methods). The Fisheries Act 1988 (NT), specifies that: “Unless expressly provided otherwise, nothing in this Act derogates or limits the right of Aboriginal people who have traditionally used the resources of an area of land or water in a traditional manner to continue to use those resources in that area in that manner.”

Northern Territory – Charter (management methods). In the Northern Territory, charter operators are regulated through the same management methods as the recreational sector, but are subject to additional limits on licence and passenger numbers.

Queensland – Indigenous (management methods). For more information see https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/traditional-fishing

Queensland – Recreational Fishing (Catch). Data are based at the whole of Queensland level and derived from statewide recreational fishing surveys. Where possible, estimates have been converted to weight (tonnes) using best known conversion multipliers. Conversion factors may display regional or temporal variability. In the absence of an adequate conversion factor, data presented as number of fish.  

Queensland – Commercial (Catch). Queensland commercial and charter data has been sourced from the commercial fisheries logbook program. Further information available through the Queensland Fisheries Summary Report https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/monitoring-research/data/queensland-fisheries-summary-report 

Queensland – Commercial (Management Methods). Harvest strategies are available at: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/sustainable/harvest-strategy  

 

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Catch Chart

Commercial catch of Barramundi - note confidential catch not shown.

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References

  1. Budd, AM, Robins, JB, Whybird, O and Jerry, DR, 2022, Epigenetics underpins phenotypic plasticity of protandrous sex change in fish, Ecology and Evolution, 12(3), p.e8730.
  2. Campbell, A, Robins, J and O’Neil, M 2017, Assessment of the barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fishery in the Southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. The State of Queensland.
  3. Crook DA, Buckle, DJ, Allsop, Q, Baldwin, W, Saunders, TM, Kyne, PM, Woodhead JD, Maas, R, Roberts, B and Douglas, MM 2016, Use of otolith chemistry and acoustic telemetry to elucidate migratory contingents in barramundi Lates calcarifer, Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1554–1566.
  4. Crook et al. 2022 Crook, DA, Morrongiello, JR, King, AJ, Adair, BJ, Grubert, MA, Roberts, BH, Douglas, MM and Saunders, TM, 2022, Environmental drivers of recruitment in a tropical fishery: Monsoonal effects and vulnerability to water abstraction, Ecological Applications, 32(4), p.e2563.
  5. Davis, TLO 1982, Maturity and sexuality in Barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), in the Northern Territory and south-eastern Gulf of Carpentaria, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 33: 529–545.
  6. Davis, TLO 1984, Estimation of fecundity in Barramundi, "Lates calcarifer", using an automatic counter. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 35(1): 111–118.
  7. Davis, TLO 1987, Biology of Lates calcarifer in Northern Australia, in JW Copland and DL Grey, Management of wild and cultured sea bass/barramundi (Lates calcarifer): Proceedings of an international workshop held at Darwin, NT Australia, 24–30 September 1986, ACIAR Proceedings No. 20, pp 22–29.
  8. de Lestang, P, Griffin, RK and Allsop QA 2004, Assessment of the post-release survival and stress physiology of barramundi (Lates calcarifer), Fisheries Research and Development Corporation project 2002/039, Northern Territory Government Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, Darwin.
  9. Fisheries Queensland, 2010, Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Barramundi (2008 onwards) Section 1, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Brisbane, Australia.
  10. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2020, Cultured Aquatic Species Information Programme, Lates calcarifer (Block, 1790)
  11. Garrett, RN and Russell, DJ 1982, Pre-management investigations into the barramundi Lates calcarifer (Bloch) in northeast Queensland water: A report to the Fishing Industry Research Committee Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Final report to Commonwealth FIRC, Canberra.
  12. Grubert, M, Saunders, T and Usher M, unpublished, Barramundi Stock Status Summary - 2020: Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) Northern Territory stock.
  13. Halliday, IA, Ley, JA, Tobin, A, Garrett, R, Gribble, NA and Mayer, DG 2001, The effects of net fishing: Addressing biodiversity and bycatch issues in Queensland inshore waters, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation project 97/206, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.
  14. Halliday, IA, Robins, JB, Mayer, DG, Staunton-Smith, J and Sellin, MJ 2010, Freshwater flows affect the year-class strength of Barramundi Lates calcarifer in the Fitzroy River estuary, Central Queensland. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 116, 1–11.
  15. Healy, T 1992, Gulf of Carpentaria fishery review background paper no. 1 WFMA, Brisbane.
  16. Infofish Australia 2014, The big picture: Tagging and recaptures 1985–2014.
  17. Infofish Australia 2020, Research and Reports Archive – Suntag Program (Online repository)
  18. Jerry, DR, Smith-Keune, C, Hodgson, L, Pirozzi, I, Carton, AG, Hutson, KS, Brazenor, AK, Gonzalez, AT, Gamble, S, Collins G and VanDerWal J 2013, Vulnerability of an iconic Australian finfish (barramundi – Lates calcarifer) and aligned industries to climate change across tropical Australia, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Project No. 2010/521.
  19. Keenan, CP 1994, Recent evolution of population structure in Australian Barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch): An example of isolation by distance in one dimension, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 45: 1123–1148.
  20. Leahy SM, Jerry DR, Wedding BBC, Robins JB, Wright CL, Sadekov A, Boyle S, Jones DB, Williams SM, McCulloch MT, Grauf S, Pavich L, McLennan M, Sellin MJ, Goldsbury J and Saunders RJ, 2022, Barramundi origins: determining the contribution of stocking to the barramundi catch on Queensland’s east coast, Cairns, Australia.
  21. Leahy, SM and Robins, JB 2021, River flows affect the growth of a tropical finfish in the wet-dry rivers of northern Australia, with implications for water resource development, Hydrobiologia, 848(18), 4311–33.
  22. Ley JA and Halliday I 2004, A Key Role for Marine Protected Areas in Sustaining a Regional Fishery for Barramundi Lates calcarifer in Mangrove-Dominated Estuaries? Evidence from Northern Australia, pp. 225–236. Brooke Shipley J Aquatic protected areas as fisheries management tools, American Fisheries Society Symposium vol. 42. American Fisheries Society
  23. Loughnan SR, Smith-Keune, C, Beheregaray, LB, Robinson, NA, and Jerry DR 2019, Population genetic structure of barramundi (Lates calcarifer) across the natural distribution range in Australia informs fishery management and aquaculture practices, Marine and Freshwater Research 70, 1533–1542.
  24. Moore, R 1979, Natural sex inversion in the giant perch (Lates calcarifer), Marine and Freshwater Research 30, 803–813.
  25. Newman, SJ, Brown, JI, Fairclough, DV, Wise, BS, Bellchambers, LM, Molony, BW, Lenanton, RCJ, Jackson, G, Smith, KA, Gaughan, DJ, Fletcher, WJ, McAuley, RB and Wakefield, CB 2018, A risk assessment and prioritisation approach to the selection of indicator species for the assessment of multi-species, multi-gear, multi-sector fishery resources, Marine Policy 88: 11–22.
  26. Northern Territory Government (NTG) 2018, Status of key Northern Territory fish stocks report 2014, Department of Primary Industry and Resources, Fishery Report No. 119, Darwin.
  27. Queensland Department of Environment and Science (QDES) 2018, QPWS permit database, Department of Environment and Science, Cairns.
  28. Roberts, BH, Morrongiello, JR, Morgan, DL, King, AJ, Saunders, TM, and Crook, DA 2021, Faster juvenile growth promotes earlier sex change in a protandrous hermaphrodite (barramundi Lates calcarifer), Scientific reports, 11(1), 2276.
  29. Robins, JB, Halliday, IA, Staunton-Smith, J, Mayer DG and Selling, MJ 2005, Freshwater-flow requirements of estuarine fisheries in tropical Australia: a review of the state of knowledge and application of a suggested approach. Marine and Freshwater Research 56, 343–360.
  30. Russell, DJ and Garrett, RN 1985, Early life history of Barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), in north-eastern Queensland, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 36: 191–201
  31. Russell, DJ and Hales, P 1993, A survey of the Princess Charlotte Bay recreational barramundi fishery, Northern Fisheries Centre, Department of Primary Industries, Cairns.
  32. Ryan KL, Lai EKM and Smallwood CB 2022. Boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2020/21, Fisheries Research Report No. 327 Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia. 221pp.
  33. Staunton-Smith, J, Robins, JB, Mayer, DG, Sellin, MJ and Halliday, IA 2004, Does the quantity and timing of fresh water flowing into a dry tropical estuary affect year-class strength of barramundi (Lates calcarifer)? Marine and Freshwater Research, 55(8): 787–797.
  34. Streipert, S, Filar, J, Robins, J and Whybird, O 2019, Stock assessment of the barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fishery in Queensland, Australia. May 2019, Technical Report, State of Queensland.
  35. Teixeira, D, Janes, R, and Webley, J 2021, 2019–20 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey Key Results, Project Report. State of Queensland, Brisbane.
  36. Trinnie, F, Skepper, C, Newman, S and Blazeski, S 2023, North Coast Nearshore and Estuarine Resource Status Report 2022, pp. 161–167. In: Gaughan, DJ and Santoro, K (eds.) 2023, Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia 2021/22: The State of the Fisheries. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
  37. Welch, D, Gribble, N and Garrett, R 2002, Assessment of the Barramundi fishery in Queensland–2002, Queensland Department of Primary Industries.

Downloadable reports

Click the links below to view reports from other years for this fish.