Relationship to humans King George whiting

1 relationship humans

1.1 commercial fishery
1.2 recreational fishery
1.3 aquaculture

relationship humans

the king george whiting highly rated food fish , common in southern australia , has become major component of commercial , recreational fisheries in region, aquaculture potential still being explored apparently of low value.

commercial fishery

the main commercial king george whiting fishery centred on south australia ceduna in west gulf st vincent in east. smaller fisheries present in victoria , south west western australia. common catching practices include haul seine nets, gill nets longline , handline methods. fishery 1 of important in country, reportedly worth 5 million australian dollars year, king george whiting fetch premium price in markets. single species alone reported comprising 60% of total annual catch in south australia during late 1980s. fish sold either whole or fillets , rated 1 of best quality australian fish table.

recreational fishery

in southern australia, king george whiting sole target fishermen seek high quality eating. number of coastal towns rely heavily on species tourism drawcard anglers seeking range of fish , crustacean species, king george whiting desired catch. relatively easy species catch, no special baits, rigs or techniques required , caught jetties, beaches , rocks; meaning boat not necessary. simple rigs such varieties of running ball sinker or paternoster rigs commonly used, fixed sinker employed in area of high tidal movement. mentioned previously, molluscs, particularly goolwa cockle common bait, varieties of worms, gents, squid, cuttlefish, fish pieces , raw king prawn commonly successful. larger fish inhabiting deep reefs caught on whole pilchards while fishing snapper , morwong.

the king george whiting has differing size , bag limits anglers in different states. in victoria, there minimum size limit of 27 cm , bag limit of 20 per person. south australia divided 2 zones concerning taking of species, fish caught east of longitude 136° restricted minimum length of 31 cm , fish caught west of longitude 136° having minimum length of 30 cm. in both divisions, bag limit 12 fish per person. western australia has set minimum legal limit of 28 cm , bag limit of 8 per person.

aquaculture

due king george whitings’ popularity food fish, extensive investigations viability of species aquaculture species have occurred, initial investigations indicating long larval cycle major barrier successful farming of fish. other problems have arisen in parasite unknown in species affecting fish in captivity. thyroid growth hormones may used in future hasten growth of larvae , make such ventures more feasible.