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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.

Central Eastern Australia

Stock status for the Central Eastern Australia biological stock is reported as Negligible due to historically low catches and because the stock has generally not been subject to targeted fishing. The Central Eastern Australia stock likely occupies a mixing zone between the Northern and South Eastern Australia stocks. This stock has produced historically low catches averaging < 5 tonnes (t) since 2011–12. 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 Central Eastern Australia biological stock is classified as a negligible stock.

North Eastern Australia

Total commercial harvest of the North Eastern stock recorded in mandatory logbooks is small (< 7 t in 2021–22). Nominal catch rates for the commercial net and line fishery components are within historical ranges and are below the 10-year average in 2018–19 [QFISH 2020]. Harvest levels and catch rates may be influenced by under-reporting in this stock. There is therefore insufficient biomass information available to confidently classify the status of this stock.

Although there may be some under-reporting of the commercial harvest, this stock is predominantly targeted by the recreational sector. Recreational fishing pressure is limited by a minimum legal size limit (MLS > size at maturity) and possession limits [Litherland et al. 2018]. Statewide recreational harvest estimates have increased since 2014 (22,000 fish in 2013–14, 38,859 fish in 2019–20) [Webley et al. 2015; Teixeira et al. 2021]. Indigenous harvest of this stock is considered to be negligible. 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, the North Eastern Australia biological stock is classified as an undefined stock.

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.

South Eastern Australia

This cross-jurisdictional biological stock has components in Queensland and New South Wales. The status presented here for the entire biological stock has been established using evidence from both jurisdictions.

The majority of the fishery occurs in Queensland waters with the commercial sector dominating harvest in the south-eastern stock (80% commercial, 20% recreational) [Lovett et al. 2019]. Results from a recent stock assessment indicate the stock was at 65% of unfished biomass in 2017–18 [Lovett et al. 2019]. Due to data limitations, the results of this assessment have a low level of confidence and precautionary interpretations are warranted. Standardised catch rates for the Queensland commercial net and line fisheries are within historical ranges and correspond to the long-term average in a 25-year time series [Lovett et al. 2019]. Fishery-dependent length composition data collected from the Queensland recreational sector indicates a broad range of lengths are present, with similar length composition observed in previous years [Lovett et al. 2019]. This indicates stable age composition and recruitment. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired.

In Queensland, the commercial harvest effort (number of active licences and number of fishing days) is below historical peaks for the net and line fisheries. The Queensland commercial net harvest has been relatively stable between 2011–22 and with a reported catch of approximately 40 t in 2021–22 catch which was below the 10-year average. The commercial line harvest remains low but within historical bounds, (approximately 12 t in 2021–22). In 2021, management arrangements restricted harvest via a competitive TACC to approximately 12 t north of 24.5^oS, and an ITQ of 63.5 t south to the Qld – NSW border.

Recreational fishing pressure in Queensland is limited by size and possession limits. The Queensland statewide recreational harvest estimate has shown variation between 2010 and 2019 (38,081 fish in 2010–11, 22,000 fish in 2013–14, 38,859 fish in 2019–20) [Taylor et al. 2012; Webley et al. 2015; Teixeira et al. 2021], with a high proportion of recreational harvest coming from this stock. Indigenous harvest of this stock is considered to be negligible.

New South Wales has historically reported very low catches of School Mackerel and the part of stock in this jurisdiction has not been subject to targeted fishing. The New South Wales commercial catch in 2012–19 averaged less than 0.15 t per year, and School Mackerel is not a major component of recreational landings [West et al. 2015; Murphy et al. 2020]. 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, the South Eastern Australia biological stock is classified as a sustainable 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.

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