Queensland Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
27 November 2013
When it comes to poddy mullet, gold is good
When it comes to identifying a mullet from other fish, most fishers have no problems, but picking one mullet species from another can be tricky.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Russell Overton said that it was important that fishers knew how to tell the difference between mullet species, particularly when catching poddy mullet for bait.
“Fishers need to take care when collecting small mullet, commonly known as poddy mullet, to ensure they are not collecting an undersized regulated species,” Mr Overton said.
“It is not uncommon for fishers to mistakenly keep undersized sea mullet, also known as bully or flathead mullet.
“Sea mullet have a minimum size limit of 30cm and a maximum possession limit of 20.
“Possessing undersize fish could land you an on-the-spot fine of $440, so it’s important to know how to identify fish correctly.
“Fishers can keep themselves out of trouble when collecting poddy mullet by remembering a simple rule – gold is good.
“To easily identify poddy mullet that have no size limit fishers should look for a gold spot or fleck on the gill cover or near the base of the pectoral fin.
“If the fish has the gold, it’s probably a gold spot or sand mullet and is good to keep. If not, it’s potentially an undersize sea mullet so you shouldn’t risk keeping it.”
For more information on fishing rules in Queensland, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@FisheriesQld).
Media: Jodana Anglesey, 3087 8601
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