Found in Western Australia, from Dongara to the Monte Bello Islands and Dampier Archipelago. In Queensland, they are distributed from the Sir Charles Hardy Islands to Brisbane (Ref. 13465). On the Great Barrier Reef, common coral trout inhabit mid-shelf reefs (Ref. 6390). Also reported from the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands (Ref. 75154). Maximum densities are achieved in the Swains Reef and Capricorn-Bunker Reefs (Ref. 27404).

Stock structure: As of 1993, no studies have been conducted on the stock structure of coral trout. Differences in maximum lengths of common coral trout populations between the Capricorn-Bunker Reefs and other Great Barrier Reef areas may indicate the existence of 2 stocks (Ref. 27404) although there is no known barrier to exchange between these areas.

Commercial fishery: Common coral trout is fished on the Great Barrier Reef and at the Houtman Abrolhos by handline.

Coral trout, in general, are the major Queensland commercial finfish, worth about A$8.2 million in 1989-90. They are one of the target species groups of the Queensland East Coast Reef Line Fishery and comprise 31-34% of the catch from that Fishery (Ref. 27262, 27263). The fishing fleet operates predominantly from ports between Cardwell and Mackay (Ref. 27263) and is very mobile. It concentrates in regions such as the Swain Reefs, the Whitsunday Island Group and the far northern Great Barrier Reef on a rotational basis. The Reef Line Fishery is daytime based and conducted by individuals operating small dories or dinghies ('tender vessels') working to a mother ship. Generally, coral trout are caught in commercial quantities from Torres Strait to just south of Rockhampton (Ref. 27262). Catches peak in the waters off Mackay and only small catches are made south of Gladstone. Although coral trout are caught throughout the year, catches and fishing effort are higher from August to October (Ref. 26263).

In north Queensland, coral trout are caught by shallow and deepwater handlining off the reef crests. They may also be caught using rod-and-reel and by trolling ('wogging'). Cut baits from oily fish such as tunas and mackerel (Scombridae), frozen pilchards (Sardinops neopilchardus) from Western Australia and shark (Carcharhinus species), and also squid are commonly used (Ref. 27264). Fishers often target spawning aggregations of common coral trout and bluespot trout, and also seek 'plate-sized' trout about 35 cm FL.

In contrast to Queensland, coral trout are a minor part of Western Australian and Northern Territory fisheries. Fish traps used in Western Australia are generally circular and they are usually baited with pilchards. Coral trout caught in traps range from 41 cm to 76 cm FL (Ref. 27266).

Between 1979 and 1991, first Taiwanese, and latter Thai and Chinese, fleets operated a demersal trawl fishery in northern Australia from the North West Shelf to the Arafura Sea. They used pair trawlers and some stern trawlers. Australian stern trawlers entered the Arafura Sea fishery after 1987 and the North West Shelf fishery in 1989. Coral trout comprised 38% of the reported 'cod' catches in the demersal trawl fishery (based on an assessment of the Arafura Sea catches) and they are more abundant in catches on the North West Shelf to 21°S and 120°E. Fishing was carried out all year although fishing effort was concentrated on the North West Shelf from October to March (Ref. 27275).

Coral trout are an excellent table fish marketed mostly fresh, gilled and guttted, or as fillets.

Recreational fishery: In north Queensland waters, considerable quantities of coral trout are taken by handline and rod-and-reel. The fish are caught mainly during the day in depths to about 25 m (Ref. 27264). Coral trout are also caught by spearfishing to about 20 m depth. Small vessels are used on inshore reefs. Fishing in deeper water to 40 m is occasionally conducted from charter vessels (Ref. 27262). Similar fishing activities are carried out in other States. The quantity of coral trout taken in the recreational fishery in Queensland is estimated to be the same as, or more than, the quantity taken in the commercial fishery.

The largest recorded coral trout caught by a recreational fisher was 23,600 g from Queensland (Australian Underwater Federation records).

Resource status: In Queensland, there appears to be 'localised' over-fishing of common coral trout and bluespot trout on reefs near centers of population, and the average size of coral trout is smaller on reefs that are fished compared with the size of coral trout on closed reefs in the Capricorn Reefs area (Ref. 27276). Over the whole Great Barrier Reef however, coral trout densities until 1993, appear to have remained stable over a considerable time period. As of 1993, despite both recreational and commercial fisheries targeting the same species using the same gear and methods, it appears that the resource has not been over-fished. However, fishing effort on coral trout is increasing from both fisheries. On the Great Barrier Reef, its maximum lifespan is 14 years (Ref. 37816).

Also Ref. 2334, 2898, 2910, 3150, 7300, 37816,43292, 48635.