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Yelloweye Mullet
Latin name: Aldrichetta forsteri
Common name: Mullet
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Wild Caught
Region:
SA
- The largest fishery for yelloweye mullet is in SA, with smaller catches in WA, TAS and VIC that are not assessed here.
- All indicators used to assess the health of the stock in SA show the stock is healthy.
- Caught using mesh nets in near-shore waters, fishing methods have a low impact on habitats and threatened species.
- Increasing numbers of long-nosed fur seals has resulted in increasing take of fish from fishing nets; non-lethal methods of reducing seal take of fish are currently being investigated.
Mullets have juicy, slightly oily flesh that has a medium to strong flavour. For the best results, ensure that the fish you buy is very fresh and has been well handled showing clear eyes, firm flesh, bright red gills and no fishy smell. Yelloweye mullet is more highly regarded than its cousin the sea mullet. They are smaller, with a finer flake and less ‘fishy’ taste. Mullet goes incredibly well cooked on the BBQ or hot smoked – the slight oiliness will ensure the fish remains moist and smoky flavours compliment it well. Accompany mullet with Mediterranean flavours such as tomato, olive and basil. Whole mullet can also be roast in a hot oven with similar flavours – the moist flesh will flake from the bones with ease.
- SA Lakes and Coorong Fishery (135t 2015-16)
Caught in small volumes across its range, yelloweye mullet is a fast growing and relatively short-lived species with a high reproductive rate. The Lakes and Coorong Fishery in SA catches the majority of yelloweye mullet, with small fisheries in WA, TAS and VIC that are not assessed due to the low volumes of fish caught.
All indicators used to assess the health of the stock in SA show the stock is healthy. In addition, the biology of this species means that is relatively resilient to fishing pressures.
Yelloweye mullet is caught in coastal waters using mesh nets, which have minimal impacts on habitat and threatened species. In general, interactions with endangered wildlife are low. As the population of Australian long-nosed fur seals recovers from historic hunting, seals have increasingly been taking fish from fishing nets, with some calls to cull the seals to protect the fishery. Efforts are currently targeted at non-lethal methods of addressing the issue, such as acoustic deterrents (crackers).
