BarramundiBarramundi

Details

  • Latin name: 
    Lates calcarifer
  • Seafood type: Barramundi
  • Harvest method: Gillnet
  • Region: Indo-Pacific Region
  • Wild/Farmed: 
    Wild
Status: 
Under Review

Barramundi

Credit: FAO
Sustainable alternatives: 
U.S. closed recirculating farms produce a sustainable barramundi option.
Sustainability concerns: 
Due to improved management, some overfished barramundi stocks are rebuilding; However, some populations continue to decline. Capture of threatened sharks and protected species such as dugongs and sea turtles is a concern for this fishery.
Australia’s most important commercial fish species was considered overfished in the 1970’s. Strengthened management has helped to rebuild populations, however stocks near urban settlements continue to decline. Bycatch of species such as sharks, dungongs and sea turtles within barramundi fisheries is of concern.
Life History and Population Status: 
Native to the Indo-West Pacific regions from Southern China to Northern Australia, barramundi supports a number of large fisheries that have experienced stock depletion in recent decades. Northwest Australian stocks are rebuilding while stocks near urban settlements continue to decline. Stocks status of other Indo-Pacific regions is unknown. The typical lifespan of barramundi is 10-20 years, with the species reaching maturity at 2-7 years.
Management: 
A stronger management regime was implemented by state governments in the 1980’s after overfishing of barramundi was noted. Queensland’s multi-species East Coast Inshore Fin Fishery (ECIFF) harvests more than half of Australia’s production of barramundi. Management practices include a long term monitoring program, seasonal closures and a compulsory logbook program.
Impact on Other Species: 
Barramundi are commercially fished using gillnets. Bycatch in Queensland’s multi-species fishery ranges from less than 20% to 28%. Western Australia and Northern Territory have lower bycatch rates, with Western Australia experiencing an average of 12%. The capture of sharks in all fisheries is of concern. Sharks are an allowed targeted species in the Queensland fishery, but are considered a bycatch elsewhere. As part of the ‘National Plan of Action – Sharks’, the Barramundi Licensee Committee has implemented shark fishing restrictions. Encounters with protected species such as dugongs, crocodiles and sea turtles can occur. The Northern Territory Seafood Council has established a set of guidelines to minimize the incidental capture of dugongs. Turtle excluder devices are common but not mandatory.
Habitat and Ecosystem Impacts: 
There is minimal concern over damage caused by gillnet fishing gear on marine habitats. Fishery zoning is critical for the East Coast Inshore Fin Fishery where the majority of fishing occurs within the estuarine areas of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Notes:

  • No or little concern in this area.
  • Significant concern in this area.
  • Area under study.