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Yelloweye Mullet is a nearshore and estuarine species found along southern Australia. Stocks in WA, SA, VIC and TAS are sustainable.

Yelloweye Mullet is widely distributed along the southern coasts of Australia, from Murchison River in Western Australia to the Hunter River in New South Wales, and around Tasmania [Gomon et al. 2008]. Yelloweye Mullet typically occur in schools in nearshore marine waters from the intertidal zone to depths of at least 10 metres and are often abundant in estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers [Kailola et al. 1993; Connolly 1994].

Biological stock structure for Yelloweye Mullet in Australia is uncertain. It has been suggested that there are two biological stocks—Western and Eastern—based on morphological differences [Thomson 1957; Pellizzari 2001]. However, further studies are required to confidently define biological stock delineation for this species.

Here, assessment of stock status for Yelloweye Mullet is presented at the jurisdictional level—Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

Tasmania

In Tasmania, Yelloweye Mullet is most abundant in estuarine habitats [Edgar 2008], where netting is prohibited or restricted, thereby providing a high degree of protection for the species throughout most of its range in Tasmania. Commercially, the species is occasionally targeted using beach and purse seine nets as well as small mesh nets, with peak catches around 5 t in 1990–2000 before declining to an annual average of 1.1 t over the past decade. Total commercial catch in 2021–22 was 1.3 t and has steadily increased in the last 5 years [Sharples et al. 2023]. Recreational fishers in Tasmania target Yelloweye Mullet using gillnets and beach seine nets, generally landing catches substantially higher than those by the commercial sector. Estimates of recreational catches revealed peaks of 30 t in 2000–01. The most recent estimate of recreational catch from 2017–18 was 4.6 t [Lyle et al. 2019].

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 above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, Yelloweye Mullet in Tasmania is classified as a sustainable stock.

Yelloweye Mullet biology [Gaughan et al. 2006; Edgar 2008; Earl and Ferguson 2013]

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Yelloweye Mullet

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 fishinglicence under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993.

Tasmania – Commercial (Catch totals). Catches reported for the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery are for the period 1 July to 30 June the following year. The most recent assessment available is for 2018–19.

Tasmania - Indigenous (Management Methods). In Tasmania, Indigenous persons engaged in traditional 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. For details, see the policy document 'Recognition of Aboriginal Fishing Activities” (https://fishing.tas.gov.au/Documents/Policy%20for%20Aboriginal%20tags%20and%20alloting%20an%20UIC.pdf).

Tasmania – Recreational (Fishing Methods). In Tasmania, a recreational licence is required for fishers using dropline or longline gear, along with nets, such as gillnet or beach seine. The species is subject to a minimum size limit of 250 mm. Mullet (all species combined) are subject to a bag limit of 15 individuals and a possession limit of 30 individuals.

Commercial catch of Yelloweye Mullet - note confidential catch not shown

1. Beckmann, CL, Durante, LM, Graba-Landry, A, Stark, KE and Tracey, SR 2023, Survey of Recreational Fishing in South Australia 2021-22. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic and Livestock Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2022/000385-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1161. 185pp.
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8. Gomon, MF, Bray, DJ and Kuiter, RH (ed.s) 2008, Fishes of Australia’s southern coast, New Holland Publishers, Sydney.
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11. Lyle, JM, Stark, KE, Ewing, GP and Tracey, SR 2019, 2017-18 Survey of recreational fishing in Tasmania. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Hobart, Tasmania.
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