Final Month For Kurrimine Beach Mackerel Monitoring

Cassowary Coast fishers are encouraged to contribute to Fisheries Queensland’s spotted mackerel monitoring program at Kurrimine Beach during its final month of sampling. Photo source: Queensland Fisheries

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Cassowary Coast fishers are being encouraged to contribute to important fisheries research as a seasonal monitoring program at Kurrimine Beach enters its final month.

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Fisheries Queensland’s North Queensland Fishery Monitoring team has been collecting biological data on spotted mackerel and other key recreational species in the Kurrimine Beach area since July, with sampling continuing during September.

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As part of the program, monitoring staff are measuring recreational catches at the Kurrimine Beach boat ramp to gather information used to assess fish stocks and support the sustainable management of Queensland fisheries.

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Local anglers can play their part by allowing Fisheries Queensland scientists to measure their catch or by donating fish frames after cleaning their fish.

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Two convenient freezer drop-off points have been established locally, with fish skeletons able to be donated at the King Reef Hotel and BIG4 Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park. The donated frames provide researchers with valuable biological information while allowing fishers to make use of the remainder of their catch as usual.

Those who cannot access the local drop-off points can also contribute information about their catches through the Queensland Fishing 2.0 app.

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With September marking the final month of the Kurrimine Beach sampling period, local fishers heading out in search of spotted mackerel are encouraged to keep an eye out for the monitoring team at the boat ramp and get involved in the research.

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