With the annual winter run of tailor underway on the south-east Queensland coast, Fisheries Queensland scientist Dr Lenore Litherland said tailor-focused fishing surveys were now entering their second decade of operation.
“These surveys rely heavily on information from the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, as well as seafood wholesalers and retailers, through the donation of fish frame samples,” Dr Litherland said.
“The tailor fishery in Queensland is important socially and economically for both the commercial and recreational sectors.”
Dr Litherland said that at this time of year, scientists from Fisheries Queensland would be sampling commercially-caught tailor from ocean beaches and estuaries between Bundaberg and the Queensland/ New South Wales border.
“Recreational fishers should also look out for scientific staff conducting roving surveys at popular recreational fishing locations between the Gold Coast and Fraser Island over the coming months.
“Fisheries Queensland scientists will be at Fraser Island, from August 8 to 14; 29 August to September 4; and September 27 to October 3.”
Dr Litherland said recreational and commercial fishers can assist the monitoring program by letting scientists measure their catch.
“In addition, we are recruiting volunteers for our Keen Angler Program. Frames of recreationally caught tailor donated by anglers are used by our scientists for length and age information,” Dr Litherland said.
The biological information is used to identify any changes in the age and length structure of the tailor stock through time; essential for assessing the status of an exploited fish stock.
“From previous surveys we know that between 2007 and 2009, the length of tailor most commonly retained by both recreational and commercial fishers was between 34 and 39 cm.”
Dr Litherland said these fish would be approximately two years old and would only just be reaching maturity.
A new size limit of 35 cm for tailor came into effect on March 1 this year. This change was part of a recent review of Queensland’s East Coast inshore fin fish fishery regulations.
“By having a minimum legal size of 35 cm we can increase the proportion of mature tailor that are able to spawn before being captured.
Recreational fishing closures on Fraser Island
An area between Indian Head and Waddy Point on Fraser Island is closed to the taking of finfish from midday 1 August to midday 30 September each year. During this closure, fishing (other than the collection of worms and pipis by hand) is prohibited within an area from a point 400m north of Waddy Point to a point 400m south of Indian Head, and
For more information on any of Fisheries Queensland monitoring programs visit www.deedi.qld.gov.au and go to ‘Fisheries’ or call 13 25 23.
