Coral Trout Plectropomus spp., Variola spp.

Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (Commonwealth) management unit

No formal stock assessment has been conducted in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (Commonwealth), but a management strategy evaluation⁵ tested four model simulations. All models estimated that biomass in 2004 was greater than 60 per cent of the unfished level, and that biomass would be greater than 70 per cent of the unfished level by 2025 at 2007 fishing levels. Catch in recent years has been below historical catch levels and well below the lowest catch level simulated in the management strategy evaluation (80 tonnes [t] per year). A catch simulation at 80 t suggested that Coral Trout biomass in the fishery would increase to greater than 80 per cent of the unfished biomass within 20 years⁵. Catch in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery has declined from historical highs following a voluntary surrender process for all non-Traditional Inhabitant commercial operators in the Torres Strait Finfish Fisheries in 2005. In addition, complications with supply logistics (consistent supply of product to a point of landing) are likely to have negatively affected profitability and interest in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery. Because fishers have limited access to freezing capacity, supply to processors has been inconsistent, leading to a negative impact on marketability and, in turn, prices and catches. The closure of a freezing facility on Murray Island in late 2010 contributed to this problem (Torres Strait Regional Authority, pers. comm., 2011).

The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this management unit stock is unlikely to be recruitment overfished⁶. The level of fishing pressure in recent years is unlikely to cause the management unit to become recruitment overfished⁶.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the management unit is classified as a sustainable stock.  

Northern Territory

The status of Coral Trout in the Northern Territory is unknown. Only small catches are reported from the Fishing Tour Operator sector, Coastal Line Fishery and Timor Reef Fishery⁷ .

On the basis of the evidence provided above, Coral Trout in the Northern Territory is classified as an undefined stock.  

Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (Queensland) management unit

Common Coral Trout dominates catches in the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (Queensland)⁸. The most recent assessment of Common Coral Trout ⁸ estimated that the biomass in 2012 was 60 per cent of the unfished (1962) levels in areas open to fishing. Given this current biomass ratio of the predominant target species in the species complex, the Coral Trout stock is not considered to be recruitment overfished.

The most recent assessment⁸ estimates that current catch levels are lower than the estimated maximum sustainable yield for the stock. This level of fishing pressure is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment overfished.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the management unit is classified as a sustainable stock.  

Gulf of Carpentaria (Queensland) management unit

Coral Trout is not a target species in Queensland-managed commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Carpentaria. They are taken as byproduct in the Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery (Queensland) and Gulf of Carpentaria Line Fishery (Queensland), but only small catches are reported. Coral Trout is a popular recreational species for Gulf of Carpentaria residents and visiting fishers. Catch information was reported during the latest recreational survey; however, harvest levels were unreliable as a result of survey limitations (unpublished data from the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry). Insufficient information is available to confidently classify the status of this stock.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the management unit is classified as an undefined stock.  

Western Australia

Coral Trout is not a target species in the demersal fisheries of Western Australia but is landed as byproduct. Only small catches of Barcheek Coral Trout and Common Coral Trout are reported, and very small catches are reported for Yellow-edge Coronation Trout and White-edge Coronation Trout⁹ . Insufficient information is available to confidently classify the status of the Western Australian stock.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, Coral Trout in Western Australia is classified as an undefined stock.