THE remains of a heavily decomposed monster-size Queensland grouper were discovered near Bundaberg recently.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science estimated the grouper to be around 2.2 m in length and were able to extract the otoliths and supply them to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries monitoring team.
DAF staff counted the thin white bands on a cross-section from the otolith and aged the fish between 45 and 48 years of age – making it one of the oldest fish DAF have recorded.
Queensland grouper are a no take species in Queensland making it difficult to obtain age information.
For more information: www.daf.qld.gov.au
