Australian Salmon


Latin names: A. truttaceus, Arripis trutta


  • Eat Less

Wild Caught

Region:
NSW

Key Facts

  • Australian Salmon should not be confused with the pink-fleshed farmed Salmon that is produced in Tasmania (which is actually a different species, Atlantic Salmon).
  • Australian Salmon are mainly caught in NSW using haul seine nets deployed from sandy beaches. A small portion are caught using purse seine nets.
  • Stocks are still recovering from historical overfishing but are on a promising trajectory. Overfishing is not likely to be occurring.
  • The methods used to catch Australian salmon are likely to have a minimal impact on threatened species but there is concern over the adequacy of reporting and minimal independent observer coverage. Regulations requiring that nets be attended increase the likelihood that any bycatch is released alive.
  • Marine parks provide a degree of protection in some areas of the fishery for threatened and endangered species. Closures also restrict beach net fishing from 17% of NSW beaches.

Cooking & Recipes

BBQ
SMOKE
RAWCURED
BAKE

Aussie salmon is an often unfairly criticised fish that is affordable and delicious. Ensure the fish has bright eyes, a nice sheen and bright-red gills (this indicates freshness and good handling). Very fresh fish that have been iced and treated with care can be served raw or cured. Just thinly slice and serve as sashimi! This fish is also excellent barbecued or smoked, just crisp the skin and serve the moist, oily and full-flavoured flesh. Suits bold Mediterranean flavours such as tomato, roast peppers, olives and fresh herbs. Whole fish or fillets can also be lightly oiled and baked in a hot oven for juicy, pull-apart results.

More information

  • NSW Ocean Hauling Fishery (1,010t in 2019)

Australian salmon are fast-growing species caught in many commercial and recreational fisheries in southern Australia. The two similar species were only formally distinguished in recent years.

They form large migratory spawning schools that become seasonally important as prey for a range of sharks and dolphins, as well as a predator on smaller finfish.

In NSW beach haul nets are used to take most of the commercial catch. This fishing method targets single species schools that differ seasonally. Most of the catch is retained with discards likely to be undersized individuals.

There have been low levels of reported protected species catch since 2012 with most released alive from the haul seine net section of the fishery. However, the most recent observer study in this component of the fishery occurred in 2005.

The purse seine fishing element of the fishery does not have observer coverage, although the purse fishing method is fairly targeted and is not likely to pose a high risk to other species.

Marine Parks provide some protection but, at the time of writing, the NSW DPI was considering opening highly protected marine reserves to fishing.