*

Yelloweye Mullet (2023)

Aldrichetta forsteri

  • Jason Earl (South Australian Research and Development Institute)
  • Harry Gorfine (Victorian Fisheries Authority)
  • Rodney Duffy (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia)
  • Stephen Bradshaw (Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania)

Date Published: June 2023

You are currently viewing a report filtered by jurisdiction. View the full report.

Toggle content

Summary

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

Toggle content

Stock Status Overview

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

Catch

Toggle content

Stock Structure

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.

Toggle content

Stock Status

Western Australia

Commercial catch of Yelloweye Mullet within the State increased from between approximately 100 to 200 t in the 1940s to over 500t in the late 1970s and early 1980s. After this time, catches declined and over the last 5 years, have remained at very low levels (less than 20 t per annum). Throughout the time series of commercial catch recorded for this species, the majority of the take has occurred in a single estuary, Peel-Harvey. Recreational catches from boat-based fishers and shore-based fishers are negligible [Ryan et al. 2022; Tate et al. 2022].

The most recent stock assessment for the Western Australian Yelloweye Mullet stock, completed in 2023, follows the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) risk-based Weight of Evidence assessment approach (WOE). This WOE assessment utilised a catch-MSY (maximum sustainable yield) analysis and available fishery independent data from Peel-Harvey estuary to support stock status.

Catch-MSY analyses yielded a prediction for Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) of 344 t (247–479 CI) for Western Australia. The large peaks in catch between the 1970s and 1990 exceeded the MSY range, and fishery independent studies indicated a simultaneous decline in Yelloweye Mullet abundance in the Peel-Harvey estuary between the early 1980s to 1996–97 [Potter et al. 2016; Tweedley et al. 2022]. Statewide commercial catches over the last two decades are well below the predicted range for MSY, with the Catch-MSY analysis predicting an increasing biomass trajectory over this period. Fishery independent data, collected by 102 m seines, do not indicate a change in density to 2008–10, however, those collected by 21.5 m seines showed an increase in density of Yelloweye Mullet [Potter et al. 2016], suggesting the potential for stable or increasing abundance. Whilst density data are not available for recent years, sampling undertaken with a 21 m seine in 2021–22 showed the species remained in the top 10 most frequently caught (6th most common species) [Tweedley et al. 2022], as it was in all prior sampling periods. 

Stable or increasing abundance of Yelloweye Mullet within Peel-Harvey estuary, combined with reduced targeting of the species due to a historic decline in demand for the species as bait, provide evidence of a stable stock biomass.

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 also 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 Western Australia is classified as a sustainable stock.

Toggle content

Biology

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

Biology
Species Longevity / Maximum Size Maturity (50 per cent)
Yelloweye Mullet 10 years, 440 mm TL  2–3 years, 200–260 mm TL 
Toggle content

Distributions

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Yelloweye Mullet

Toggle content

Tables

Fishing methods
Western Australia
Commercial
Gillnet
Beach Seine
Haul Seine
Indigenous
Hook and Line
Gillnet
Unspecified
Recreational
Hook and Line
Gillnet
Charter
Various
Management methods
Method Western Australia
Commercial
Gear restrictions
Limited entry
Spatial closures
Temporal closures
Vessel restrictions
Indigenous
Bag limits
Gear restrictions
Recreational
Bag limits
Gear restrictions
Licence (boat-based sector)
Spatial closures
Catch
Western Australia
Commercial 9.42t
Indigenous Unknown
Recreational Negligible, Unknown

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.

Toggle content

Catch Chart

Commercial catch of Yelloweye Mullet - note confidential catch not shown

Toggle content

References

  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.
  2. Bell, JD, Ingram, BA, Gorfine, HK and Conron, SD 2023, Review of key Victorian fish stocks — 2022 Victorian Fisheries Authority Science Report Series No. 38, First Edition, June 2023. VFA: Queenscliff. 58pp.
  3. Connolly, RM 1994, A comparison of fish assemblages from seagrass and unvegetated areas of a South Australian estuary, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 45: 1033–1044.
  4. Earl, J 2023, Assessment of the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery in 2021/22. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2020/000208-04. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1176. 94pp.
  5. Earl, J and Ferguson, GJ 2013, Yelloweye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) stock assessment report 2011–12, Report to Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (Fisheries and Aquaculture), SARDI Publication F2007/001048-1, SARDI Research Report Series 737, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
  6. Edgar, GD 2008, Australian marine life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. New Holland Publishers, Sydney.
  7. Gaughan, D, Ayvazian, S, Nowara, G and Craine, M 2006, The development of a rigorous sampling methodology for a long-term annual index of recruitment for finfish species from south-western Australia, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Project 1999/153, Fisheries Research Report 154, Western Australia Department of Fisheries, Perth.
  8. Gomon, MF, Bray, DJ and Kuiter, RH (ed.s) 2008, Fishes of Australia’s southern coast, New Holland Publishers, Sydney.
  9. Hamer, P and Giri, K 2016, Port Phillip Bay Commercial Fishery Assessment 2016. Fisheries Victoria Science Report Series No. 9.
  10. Kailola, P, Williams, MJ, Stewart, PC, Reichlet, RE, McNee, A and Grieve, C 1993, Australian fisheries resources, Bureau of Resource Sciences and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
  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.
  12. Pellizzari, M 2001, A preliminary investigation of the biology of Yelloweye Mullet in South Australian waters, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
  13. Potter, IC, Veale, L, Tweedley, JR and Clarke, R 2016, Decadal changes in the ichthyofauna of a eutrophic estuary following a remedial engineering modification and subsequent environmental shifts, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 181:345-363.
  14. 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.
  15. Sharples, R, Cresswell, K, Hartmann, K and Krueck, N 2023. Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery Assessment 2021/22. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania.
  16. Tate, AC, Rudd, LJ and Smallwood, CB 2022, Shore-based recreational fishing in the Perth Metropolitan area: 2022. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth. Report 326.
  17. Thomson, JM 1957, Interpretation of the scales of the yellow-eye mullet, Aldrichetta forsteri (Cuvier and Valenciennes) (Mugilidae), Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 8: 14–28.
  18. Tweedley, J, Krispyn, K, Maus, C and Cottingham, A 2022, Peel-Harvey Estuary condition assessment based on fish communities - 2020/21 (Issue January).
  19. Victorian Fisheries Authority 2017, Review of key Victorian fish stocks—2017. Victorian Fisheries Authority Science Report Series No. 1.

Downloadable reports

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