Western Australian Salmon (Arripis truttaceus) (hereafter referred to as ‘Salmon’) comprises a migratory biological stock that extends from southern Western Australia to the east coast of Tasmania, with each State jurisdiction harvesting different life-history stages. Western Australian Salmon intermix with Eastern Australian Salmon (A. trutta) in eastern Victorian waters and around Tasmania. The Western Australian fishery typically targets adult fish that aggregate around the south-western coastline, whereas the South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian fisheries predominantly harvest juveniles and sub-adults in coastal waters as they migrate along the southern coast of Australia.

Salmon form large spawning schools in coastal waters between Cape Leeuwin and Busselton, Western Australia, during late autumn and early winter when the eastward flow of the Leeuwin Current is strongest. Developing larvae settle along the entire southern coastline of Australia, with the main nursery grounds located along the south-eastern coast. Juveniles remain in coastal nursery areas for approximately three years where they feed on epibenthic crustaceans and small fish associated with seagrass beds. As they mature and begin to migrate back to the spawning grounds, their diet shifts to small pelagic fish, predominantly Australian Sardines and Australian anchovies. Salmon attain a maximum age of ~12 years and can reach a maximum size of 850 mm FL.

Source:  Assessment of the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery in 2018.  Report by PIRSA

Sustainability

Western Australia – Sustainable
Eastern Australia – Sustainable

Source:  FRDC

Provenance

Typically found on exposed surf beaches, key producing regions include the West Coast, Lower Spencer and Gulf St Vincent.

SEAsonality

Another species which exhibits biannual availability, with production building over Summer and Winter months. Key months include a peak in May – July with March – April and September – October the lowest. Production can fluctuate due to its large migratory patterns from WA to SA.