COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL HARVEST OF FISH FROM 2 AUSTRALIAN COASTALRIVERS

Commercial and recreational harvests of fish from two eastern Australi an coastal rivers, the Richmond and the Clarence, have been compared f or the period from March 1988 to May 1989, using commercial fisheries statistics and a roving creel census of daytime recreational anglers. For both rivers, sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) made up about 70% of the commercial catch by weight but was not caught in significant numbers b y anglers. Fish species harvested in large numbers by both sectors wer e yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis), dusky flathead (Platyceph alus fuscus), luderick (Girella tricuspidata), sand whiting (Sillago c iliata), mulloway (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) and tailor (Pomatomus sa ltatrix). For the Richmond River, yellowfin bream, dusky flathead and tailor were harvested principally by recreational anglers; sand whitin g were equally shared between fishing sectors, and harvests of luderic k and mulloway were dominated by commercial fishers. For the Clarence River, which supports one of the largest estuarine-based commercial fi sheries in Australia, tailor were harvested principally by recreationa l anglers; yellowfin bream, dusky flathead and mulloway were equally s hared between fishing sectors, and sand whiting and luderick were take n predominantly by commercial fishers. Although data on recreational f ishing throughout Australia are limited, anglers now appear to be the dominant harvesters of several estuarine fish species. As in other par ts of the world, the numbers of recreational anglers in Australian wat ers appear to be increasing, and this situation is likely to lead to b oth heightened conflict between the user groups and increased exploita tion of a limited resource. The need for sustained and cost-effective monitoring of recreational angler effort and harvests is emphasized.