Live poddy mullet - legal or not?

[the gecko]

Qld dpi says sea mullet or diamond scale mullet has a min size of 30cm. I know theres a few more species than these 2, but Id assume most mullet around SE Qld rivers and creeks are one of these 2? Am I right or wrong?

Can someone set me straight? Is it legal for me to castnet and use live mullet if they are well under 30cm?

How do you tell what species they are?


cheers
Andrew

[Pistol_P]

Hi Andrew,

From my understanding Diamond Scale mullet are further North.

I have seen them up around Mackay etc.

I could well be wrong but I have never seen a Diamond scale in SEQ...?...But it does say they occur even as far as Northern NSW.

Pete

[cuzzamundi]

Mate there are a few species, and chances are you're getting sand or fan tail mullet up there in the burrum. Both have no size limits. Look up these species on the web, they'll tell you the difference between 'em all.

Cuzza

[Horse]

I'm pretty sure that all the ones under 30cm are Sand or Fantail

[chris69]

Yes gecko you can use mullet under 30cm if they are fantails,seamullet have a bullhead on them and fantails have a pointier head and sea mullet are round near there tail and fantails are flat near the tail.

[the gecko]

Thanks guys, but its still a little confusing.

So Diamondscale mullet is not likely to be encountered in local waters, and is easily distinguished by its large scales.

Fantail Mullet is easily recognised by its fantail. Its flat along the back of the tail, and all other mullets have a swallowtail V shape.
http://www.scienceimage.csiro.au/ind...etail&id=10244

But Sea mullet at juvenile stage looks the same shape as Sand Mullet, Yellow eye mullet and Bluespot mullet......

sea mullet, also called Bully Mullet;
http://www.fishnames.com.au/fishname...ab=37%20381002

thanks to nsw.dpi, the Sea Mullet is the only one with a broad bull shaped nose when viewed from above. It doesnt help that all the mullet pics on the official websites are taken from side on tho. An overhead pic would be nice.

Most poddy mullets seem to be sand mullets or yellow eyes, as they usually have the pointy head. Its worth knowing, cos Ive been checked by Fisheries twice in the last 6 mths. Both times, I happened to have frozen mullet in the esky, so they werent concerned. Id hate to be having an arguement with a dpi guy about what species Ive got on the line tho. You know hes gonna win, even if hes wrong, lol.

cheers
Andrew

[swabio]

well I have been trying to work out the same thing so emailed DEEDI and this is what they sent me..........BTW I posted this originally in the Sand Pumping Jetty although feel it is more appropriate here

Well here is the message from the DEEDI .......... Read from the bottom up...........

,

In response to your last enquiry. We only have the regulated species on our website. You will need to go to BFC or other fishing outlets for a copy of a fish identification book.

From: ME
Sent: Tuesday, 17 August 2010 3:49 PM
To: BIC Email
Subject: RE: DEEDI - RESPONSE TO YOUR EMAIL ENQUIRY (Call ID: 687510)

Thanks again for the response, I have had a quick look to try and find an official resource which will aid me in actually being able to identify these types of mullet, however have not been able to locate images of them. Are you able to provide resources to aid in identifying these mullet type? IE pamphlet (print or electronic) or even images.

Regards,

Thank you for contacting Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

In response to your enquiry. The two mullets become regulated in March 2009. There are a number of other mullets in south-eastern Qld. Flat tail mullett, Sand mullet, fantail mullet and tiger mullet are some.

If you wish to follow up on this enquiry please quote reference number: 687510 .

Business Information Centre
Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001

Ph: 13 25 23 (Qld) or 07 3404 6999
Fx: 07 3404 6900
Email: callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au

[chris69]

Hi guys if you get sea mullet that are under size you will see the differance strait away and ive only seen diamond scale mullet from tincan north and you will see the differance when you seen one and if you cant tell the differance well throw them back and aviod the fine if caught or just give up, in all the years ive thrown a castnet to get liveies for jacks ive only gotten 1 school of 4to5inch juvinile seamullet and they look a lot differant to the fan or flat tails you get up the creeks

[Chamelion]

I've seen two Diamond scale mullet in Cornmeal creek (off the maroochy river). They hang around as a pair generally. I haven't seen them for a month or more but before that they were there for months and months.