General News
5 February, 2026
More fresh fish for cooking
THE Queensland Government is putting more iconic Spanish mackerel back on plates across Queensland, with new indicators supporting an increase to allowable limits for both recreational and commercial fishers.
This year’s Spanish mackerel stock assessment found the population is likely to have increased to 34% of un-fished biomass, which allows for increased fishing.
Based on this, the Department of Primary Industries has raised the recreational boat limit from two fish per boat to a maximum of four, with the individual bag limit to remain at one per person.
For commercial fishers, the increase represents a 51.5% growth in allowable catch, with the annual commercial limit increasing from 165 tonnes to 250 tonnes.
A new biomass target of 48% has also been set to allow greater access to this productive stock, while ensuring sustainability into the future.
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the changes to catch limits were based on science and informed by data, just like the Queensland government promised.
“As a government, to ensure sustainable fishing continues into the future, we must make our decisions based on the facts – and that’s what we’ve done here,” he said.
“Gone are the days of Labor’s ideology-driven approach which treated Queensland’s fishers with ‘lip service’ and took iconic Queensland fisheries off our plates.
“We estimate this increase to the annual commercial catch limit will boost the Queensland economy by approximately $3.5 million in gross value of production.
“That means more jobs for Queenslanders and more Spanish mack on plates around the state, whether that be at home or showcased across our world-class tourism and hospitality sectors.”
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% increase with the annual commercial total allowable catch raising from 165 tonnes to 250 tonnes.
The Member for Mulgrave Terry James 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,” he said.
“Spanish mackerel is a favourite 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.
Read More: Far North