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An inshore and estuarine species, Tailor has biologically independent stocks on the east and west coasts of Australia. Both stocks are sustainable. The western stock is found only in WA. The eastern stock is found in QLD, NSW and VIC.

Tailor has a wide-ranging distribution with several separate stocks found in temperate and sub-tropical waters around the world. Genetic evidence indicates that there are two biological stocks of Tailor in Australia, one along the east coast and a second along the west coast [Nurthen et al. 1992]. The Eastern Australian biological stock is distributed from Bundaberg in southern Queensland along the entire New South Wales coast and into eastern Bass Strait in Victoria [Miskiewicz et al. 1996; Brodie et al. 2018]. The Western Australian biological stock is distributed along the western coastline of Australia from Exmouth to Esperance [Lenanton et al. 1996; Smith et al. 2013]. Within each stock, multiple spawning groups may exist that spawn at different times and locations [Miskiewicz et al. 1996; Young et al. 1999; Ward et al. 2003; Schilling et al. 2020]. However, characteristics such as the dispersal of pelagic eggs and larvae with prevailing currents, the movement of juveniles into sheltered nearshore or estuarine habitats in northern and southern areas of the species range, and the seasonal migration behaviour of adults, suggest that a genetically homogenous population occurs on each coast [Bade 1977; Juanes et al. 1996; Lenanton et al. 1996; Miskiewicz et al. 1996; Young et al. 1999; Ward et al. 2003; Brodie et al. 2018].

Here, assessment of stock status is presented at the biological stock level—Western Australia and Eastern Australia.

Western Australia

The ability to produce reliable, quantitative stock assessments for Tailor is impacted by high uncertainty associated with recreational catches and consequently total catches across all fishing sectors. Due to the lack of a reliable annual catch time series for this species, several commonly used assessment approaches including Catch-MSY analysis, biomass dynamics models and integrated models which require this information, were not considered appropriate for its current assessment in Western Australia. Recently, a data-limited stock assessment approach was developed requiring only an index of spawning stock abundance which is available for Tailor in Western Australia. This approach is the Abundance-Maximum Sustainable Yield (AMSY) model of Froese et al. [2020]. 

A preliminary stock assessment has thus recently been conducted for tailor in Western Australia using the AMSY model fitted to standardised CPUE data (1975-2022) to estimate biomass (B) and fishing mortality (F). Tailor in Western Australia exhibit a net northward movement of adults; therefore, it is likely that a high proportion of the spawning stock is located in the northern areas of its distribution in Western Australia (Gascoyne Coast Bioregion and the Kalbarri Zone of the WCB) [Smith et al. 2013]. Standardised CPUE from the inner gulfs of Shark Bay, where the majority of the commercial catch of this species is taken, is assumed to represent an index of spawning stock abundance for this species. The annual standardised commercial CPUE time series for Tailor in Shark Bay from 1976–2000 does not show an obvious long-term trend of increasing or decreasing abundance, although CPUE has been consistently lower in years after 2000. This method is applied to a time series of CPUE (adjusted for assumed increases in fishing efficiency), combined with specified prior ranges for resilience (i.e., range of values for population intrinsic increase, r) and for relative stock size, for a given year. For Tailor, an initial depletion range of 0.35–0.65 was specified at the beginning of the time series (1975), with resilience set to “low” (corresponding to r=0.1–0.6). Results indicate that, in recent years, B and F have fluctuated around their respective threshold levels (i.e., F_MSY and B_MSY). 

The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. Furthermore, the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired. 

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

Tailor biology [Bade 1977; Juanes et al. 1996; Young et al. 1999; Smith et al. 2013; Schilling et al. 2019, 2023,]

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Tailor

Western Australia – Recreational (Catch). Current shore-based recreational catch and effort in Western Australia is unknown. Recreational catch estimated in 2020/21, for boat-based fishing only [Ryan et al. 2022]

Queensland – Recreational Fishing (Catch). Data based at the whole of Queensland level and derived from statewide recreational fishing surveys [Teixeira et al. 2021]. 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 have 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 

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

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.

New South Wales – Recreational (Catch). Murphy et al. [2022].

New South Wales – Indigenous (Management Methods). https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/aboriginal-fishing

Commercial catch of Tailor - note confidential catch not shown

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