DISTRIBUTION OF TAILOR (POMATOMUS SALTATRIX) LARVAE ALONG THE COAST OF NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

The distribution of tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) larvae is described o n the basis of the results of four plankton surveys undertaken in nort hern and central New South Wales (NSW) coastal waters. These comprised a single survey during May 1989 along the northern NSW coast and mult iple surveys in January, March and May 1983 between Sydney and Brisban e. Pomatomus saltatrix larvae occurred throughout the survey period, w ith the highest abundances on the northern NSW coast. Most larvae were caught in mid and outer continental shelf waters at water temperature s of greater than or equal to 22 degrees C. The only known spawning lo cality for P. saltatrix is in the vicinity of Fraser Island in souther n Queensland from August to October. The occurrence of larvae along th e NSW coast from January to May indicates that the spawning season of P. saltatrix is more extensive than previously reported and that spawn ing occurs along the east coast of Australia in localities other than Fraser Island, Further surveys of larvae in southern Queensland and no rthern NSW waters, especially from August to December, are required to determine if P. saltatrix has one extended or two discrete spawning s easons along the eastern coast of Australia.