Common names:
Barracouta, Barracouta, Couta
Occurrence:
native
Salinity:
brackish
Abundance:
common (usually seen)
|
Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Importance:
commercial
|
Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Aquaculture:
never/rarely
|
Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Regulations:
restricted
|
Ref: Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
Uses:
gamefish: yes;
Comments:
They inhabit southern waters of the Australian Fishing Zone from Moreton Bay in Queensland (Ref. 28892) to Shark Bay in Western Australia (Ref. 27296).
Stock structure: There appear to be at least 5 stocks of barracouta in Australian waters, 3 of which are located in southeastern waters and the remaining 2 in South Australia and Western Australia, respectively (Ref. 7143, 28893). These findings are based on studies of growth, spawning and migration factors and up to 1993, have not been validated by genetic studies.
Commercial fishery: The Australian barracouta fishery has operated since the mid 1800s, following the introduction of trolling methods at Queenscliff (Victoria) in the 1850s (Ref. 26431). A barracouta fishery was also established in Tasmania in the second half of that century. Prior to the Second World War, barracouta was the second most important fish species in the Australian fishing industry, exceeded only by sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) in volume of landed catch. Production of barracouta increased during the war, peaking in 1945-46 at 9000 t. This peak was mainly the result of increased catches in Tasmania where effort was diverted from the southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) fishery to produce bulk fish for canning (Ref. 28895). Production of barracouta was low during the 1950s but increased from 1960, ranging from about 1900 t to 4100 t during the period 1960-61 to 1974-75 (Ref. 28892). Since 1975 fishing effort targeted at barracouta has lessened, mainly as a result of competition from more popular trawled species in the domestic fresh fish market and low priced imported product for processing.
Historically, fishing for barracouta has been confined to southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Most of the New South Wales catch was landed at Eden. In Victoria, the most productive waters were off Lorne, Apollo Bay, Queenscliff and Western Port (Ref. 28892) while Tasmanian barracouta vessels operated mainly from Hobart and Triabunna in the southeast and Devonport, Stanley and Burnie in the north. Trolling was the most widely used method in the fishery, with lines towed at the surface or weighted to attract deeper swimming fish. Lures used varied from wooden and plastic jigs to strips of coloured cloth and animal hide attached to hooks. Vessels used in the early fishery were open or half-decked sailing vessels up to 12 m in length. Diesel engines were introduced in the 1950s, but the vessel design remains basically the same.
As of 1993, catches of barracouta are taken as bycatch of demersal otter trawling in New South Wales and Victoria as part of the South East Fishery, with the highest catches resulting from target fishing for warehous (Seriolella species). Catches are also taken in southeastern Tasmanian waters using trolling methods, although the level of catch has varied considerably since 1980 when it was less than 10 t, to 650 t in 1986-87.
Most of the catch is sold on the fresh fish market in headed and gutted form. Some of the catch is processed as smoked product of fish cakes, although processors rely mainly on imported barracouta for continuity of supply (Ref. 28892). Barracouta heads are widely used as bait in rock lobster pots.
Recreational fishery: Barracouta are targeted by anglers in all southern States except New South Wales. Surface feeding schools are fished by trolling or casting metallic lures or jigs (Ref. 27128). The largest recorded barracouta (as of 1993) was caught by a recreational angler in New South Wales and weighed 6.2 kg (Australian Anglers Association records).
Resource status: As of 1993, catches appeared to be well below sustainable levels. This situation was due to market limitations rather than over-exploitation of stocks. Periodic fluctuations in apparent abundance of barracouta are well documented but the factors responsible are unknown.
Barracouta are susceptible to infestation by protozoan parasites, which cause the incidence of 'milky' fish. The flesh of infected individuals softens within 24 hours of capture to an unmarketable condition (Ref. 28894). A small percentage of barracouta is also infected by nematode and cestode worms. Occurrence of the parasites has contributed to the low demand for barracouta on the fresh fish market although their presence is detected prior to sale and the affected fish discarded.
Also Ref. 6231.
National Checklist:
Country Information:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/as.html
National Fisheries Authority:
http://www.csiro.au/
Occurrences:
OccurrencesPoint map
Main Ref:
Kailola, P.J., M.J. Williams, P.C. Stewart, R.E. Reichelt, A. McNee and C. Grieve, 1993
National Database:
Teleostei (teleosts) > Scombriformes (Mackerels) > Gempylidae (Snake mackerels)
Etymology: Thyrsites:Greek, thyrsites, -ou = stalk of a plant, an ornament like a pine cone borne by Bacchus (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 550 m (Ref. 6390), usually 100 - 500 m (Ref. 6181). Subtropical; 13°C - 18°C (Ref. 6181); 21°S - 56°S, 75°W - 177°E (Ref. 54924)
Distribution
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