Assessing the population biology of Black Jewfish (Protonibea diacanthus) in Queensland

Abstract

Researchers from Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries evaluated the population biology and stock structure of the Black Jewfish (Protonibea diacanthus) in Queensland waters. The project was focused around high catch areas in central Queensland which account for the majority of harvest from the Queensland East Coast fishery. Whole specimens were collected during 2020 and 2021, through a complimentary approach of sampling commercial fishery catches during the open fishing season (January and February), and through representative fishery independent sampling (March to December). The collection of additional samples for genetics was undertaken across the species’ distribution in Queensland and part of the Northern Territory, and was heavily supported by assistance from the commercial, recreational, charter and Indigenous fishing communities. The research was able to characterise key aspects of the species’ population biology and population structure which have been used to directly inform the stock assessment and fishery management in Queensland waters.