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What Species are Depredating Catch and Where is it Occurring?

This aspect of the research will determine what species are depredating fish by analysing swab samples taken from depredated fish. Willing commercial, charter and recreational fishers will be provided with swabs and asked to take a swab sample from fish that are depredated while they are line fishing. When fishers have a fish depredated they will be asked to fill out the informational card provided with details including where the fish was depredated, as well as the date, water depth and bait type used. Fishers will also be asked to take a photo of the depredated fish and email/upload it to FDRQ on Instagram or Facebook along with the time and date the swab was taken. Further instructions on swabbing depredated fish can be accessed here. If you would be interested in collecting swab samples, please feel free to contact us. If you experience depredation and don’t have any swab samples please still report catch depredation on our designated page.

Pink snapper depredated in Nossa

Pink Snapper depredated off Noosa, Queensland. 

189

Number of depredating sharks identified. 

12

Number of depredating species identified  

51

Number of fish species depredated 

276

Number of depredated fish samples

Depredated remains of a fish
Depredated remains of a fish

Top 4 Depredating Species 

Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)

Spinner Shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna)

Pigeye Shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis)

Depredated remains of a fish
Remains of a fish after depredation

Top 5 Fish Species Depredated  

Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)

Pink Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus)

Red Throat Emperor (Lethrinus miniatus)

Largemouth Nannygai (Lutjanus malabaricus)

Common Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus)

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