*

School Mackerel occurs in continental shelf waters across the northern and eastern coasts of Australia. One biological stock is sustainable, two are negligible and one is undefined.

School Mackerel occur in continental shelf waters, often associated with coastal embayments, across the northern and eastern coasts of Australia [Collette and Russo 1984]. Concurrent spawning of fish in geographically dispersed locations may indicate reproductive isolation. In addition, hydrological conditions within embayments may reduce mixing of pelagic eggs and larvae along the coastline. These characteristics result in a complex stock structure for School Mackerel [Begg et al. 1997; Begg et al. 1998a, b; Begg and Sellin 1998]. Off the east Australian coast, genetic dissimilarity, restricted movement patterns, concurrent spawning at multiple locations and regional differences in growth and otolith composition indicate the presence of at least two stocks between 16°S and 28°S [Begg et al. 1997; Begg et al. 1998a, b; Begg and Sellin 1998]. East coast stocks are considered to occupy the following latitudinal ranges: North Eastern Australia – Townsville (19°30’S) to Coen (14°00’S); Central Eastern Australia – Mackay (20°30’S) to Townsville (19°30’S); and South Eastern Australia – Tweed (28°00’S) to Mackay (20°30’S). Stock boundaries for the Northern Australia stock are less certain, spanning jurisdictions from Northern Queensland, across the Northern Territory, to Northern Western Australia.

Here, the assessment of stock status is presented at the biological stock level—Northern Australia, North Eastern Australia, Central Eastern Australia and South Eastern Australia.

Northern Australia

School Mackerel is broadly distributed across northern Australia with components of this stock occurring in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland [Begg et al. 1998a]. However, School Mackerel is not a major component of commercial or recreational landings. Stock status for the Northern Australia biological stock is reported as Negligible due to historically low catches across all jurisdictions, and the stock has not been the subject of targeted fishing.

The Western Australian Mackerel Managed Fishery predominantly targets Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) in locations and with gear not conducive to catching School Mackerel [Lewis 2020]. Western Australian commercial and charter boat catches of School Mackerel from 2008–21 averaged less than 0.3 t and 0.5 t per year respectively. School Mackerel is not a major component of Western Australian recreational landings, with an estimated retained catch of 3.2 t (± 1.4 t se) in 2020–21 [Ryan et al. 2022]. In the Northern Territory there has been no reported recreational catch in recent years [West et al. 2022] and the commercial catch has averaged 676 kg per year over the last 5 years, with a maximum harvest of 1,609 kg in 2021. In Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria waters there is limited recreational catch and commercial catches have been < 0.1 t per year for the last three years [Teixeira et al. 2021]. This low level of fishing is unlikely to be having a negative impact on the stock.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Northern Australia biological stock is classified as a negligible stock.

School Mackerel biology [Begg 1996; Begg 1998; Begg and Hopper 1997; Begg and Sellin 1998; Begg et al. 1998a; Collette and Russo 1984; Munro 1943]

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 Fisheries Queensland 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  

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

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

Western Australia – Recreational (Catch). Statewide survey of boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia 2020–21 [Ryan et al. 2022]. Shore- based catch (if any) largely unknown.

Western Australia – Recreational (Management Methods). Boat-based recreational fishing licence required.

Western Australia – Charter (Catch). The charter catch is an estimate based on numbers of fish caught multiplied by an average weight.

1. Begg, G 1996, Species coexistence, stock structure and fisheries management of School (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and Spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Queensland east coast waters. Doctoral Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
2. Begg, GA 1998, Reproductive biology of school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Queensland east-coast waters', Marine and Freshwater Research, 49(3): 261–270.
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