Spanish mackerel closure and stock assessment
by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries 16 Oct 2024 21:49 UTC

Spanish mackerel closure and stock assessment © Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
The first 2024 Spanish mackerel northern closure began on Monday, 30 September and runs through to the end of Monday, 21 October.
This closure applies to east coast waters north of latitude 22°S (located slightly north of Stanage Bay.)
These closures began in 2022 to promote stock rebuilding. Since then, we've been working with representatives from the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and an external scientist on an updated east coast Spanish mackerel stock assessment, which is on track for delivery in early 2025.
We've also been looking at additional data from a Fisheries Research and Development Corporation research project on commercial fishing targeting behaviour, shark depredation and Spanish mackerel life cycles.
Find out more about the stock assessment.