New Spanish Mackerel Assessment Shows Sustainable Populations

The Crisafulli Government will deliver certainty and restore fairness for commercial and
recreational fishers in the Whitsundays and across the state, with a new stock assessment
revealing sustainable populations that would support increased catch limits for Spanish
mackerel.

This year’s Spanish mackerel stock assessment found the population was now likely to
have doubled since the previous assessment, revealing restored populations that would
support increased catch limits.

Based on this, the Department Primary Industries has proposed raising the Spanish
mackerel catch limits for both commercial and recreational fishing.

If these proposals are adopted, the recreational boat limit will double from two fish per boat
to a maximum of four fish per boat.

For commercial fishers it will see a 51.5 per cent increase with the annual commercial total
allowable catch raising from 165 tonnes to 250 tonnes.

The stock assessment for Spanish mackerel is the first conducted since the Crisafulli
Government’s overhaul of the former Labor Government’s flawed processes in 2021,
which attracted strong criticism from industry, qualified experts and independent reviews.

Existing Spanish mackerel limits will remain in place until the proposed changes are
adopted subject to public consultation.

Amanda Camm MP, Member for Whitsunday, has welcomed the proposed increase to
recreational and commercial limits.

“The proposed increase in the commercial catch limit represents approximately $3.5
million in gross value of production to the Queensland economy, that’s extra money that
will circulate through our coastal communities," Amanda Camm said.

“Spanish mackerel is a favorite in our local fish and chip shops, and this announcement is
a step in the right direction toward supporting not only our local commercial fishers but
also our small and family businesses that supply fish or support recreational fishers.”

Matthew Calder, owner of FISHI Whitsundays, said the proposed increase is a positive
move forward for Queensland’s commercial fishers and the seafood consumers we
represent.

“We need to keep pushing, with the help of the LNP Crisafulli Government, and put
Australian Seafood first," he said.

Public consultation will be announced in due course, with the proposed changes intended
to take effect by the end of the year.

‍

FISHI Owner Matthew Calder and Amanda Camm MP Member for Whitsunday. Photo supplied

‍