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| The maximum size of a Greenback Flounder is 40 cm and
it weighs 0.6 kg. They reach their maximum size at 3-4 years of age. |
Greenback Flounder are found in the Coorong estuary in
the Murray-Darling Basin. They are also found in estuaries from southern
New South Wales to South Australia and southern Western Australia.
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IN THE PAST
Greenback Flounder are abundant in the Coorong in South Australia. |
TODAY
Greenback Flounder are common, but commercial catches
mean that their numbers have declined recently. |
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| COORONG ESTUARY |
Greenback Flounder are found in the Coorong estuary.
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| SANDY BOTTOMS |
| Greenback Flounder are bottom-dwelling fish found on silty,
sandy and muddy bottoms. |
MATING
Little is known about the reproductive activities of the Greenback
Flounder. They are 19-30 cm long when they become an adult. |
SPAWNING
Greenback Flounder spawn offshore
during cold periods between June and October. |
EGGS
There is no information available on the number or size of Greenback
Flounder eggs. |
JUVENILES
The abundance of Greenback Flounder larvae is greatest between June
and August. Juveniles generally
stay within the estuary, but have been found upstream in fresh water. |
| Greenback Flounder feed on the bottom at night and during rising tides.
They eat bottom-dwelling animals such as sand crabs, marine worms, small crustaceans and
small fish. |
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| Greenback Flounder generally stay on the bottom within the Coorong,
but they can move out to sea to depths of 100 m, and they occasionally
move upstream into fresh water. They move offshore to spawn in winter. |
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IN THE PAST
Greenback Flounder have been part of the fishery in the Coorong since
the 1880s. |
TODAY
Greenback Flounder are caught in the Coorong using bottom set gillnets, seine
nets and by spearing them. |
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IN THE PAST
Greenback Flounder were probably a source of fresh food for Aborigines
in the Coorong. |
TODAY
Greenback Flounder is a popular fish for the table because it has
very moist flesh. They are caught with baited hook and line, or they are
speared by people snorkelling. |
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LEGAL SIZES
Sometimes there are limits on the size of Greenback Flounder that
can be caught.
| ACT: |
Not found |
| NSW: |
None |
| Qld.: |
Not found |
| SA: |
None |
| Vic.: |
At least 23 cm in length |
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CATCH LIMITS
Sometimes there are limits on the number of Greenback Flounder that
can be caught.
| ACT: |
Not found |
| NSW: |
None |
| Qld.: |
Not found |
| SA: |
A limit of 20 fish |
| Vic.: |
None |
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CLOSED SEASONS
Greenback Flounder can be caught all year round in all States of
Australia. |
BAIT
Greenback Flounder will take most baits, including crabs, fish bits,
peeled prawn, sand worms and whitebait. |
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| FISH HABITATS |
| The loss of habitats,
such as Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert has probably reduced numbers
of Greenback Flounder in the past. |
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| FISHING |
| Increased fishing by both recreational and
commercial fishers could reduce numbers. |
REMEDIES?
Greenback Flounder are not bred artificially and there is no re-stocking of
wild populations. The potential of Greenback Flounder being used in aquaculture is
now being investigated. |
RECOVERY PLANS
There are no recovery plans
in place for Greenback Flounder. Management controls on the commercial fishery
include:
- Limits on the numbers of fishing
licences issued;
- Restrictions on the type of fishing gear
used;
- Closed seasons and closed areas in
some estuaries;
- Minimum legal size limits.
Recreational fishers may be responsible for landing up to 28% of the total catch of Greenback
Flounder in the Coorong. Management controls on the recreational fishing include:
- Minimum legal size limits (Vic.);
- Daily bag and boat limits (SA). |
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