Oral Presentation Australian Society of Fish Biology and Oceania Chondrichthyan Society Conference 2016

Despite occurring across much of our coastline, there are still significant knowledge gaps in the life history, movement patterns and population structures of mulloway. With anglers dedicating their lives to catching a silver ghost, citizen science provides a cost effective and efficient way of advancing our knowledge of this species. In addition, the direct involvement of anglers has encouraged environmental stewardship and increased awareness on the importance of sustainable fisheries management. The research program, funded by Victorian Recreational Fishing License Fees, began in late 2014 and has seen over 300 frames donated by more than 60 anglers across Victoria. Donated samples, together with a small number of scientifically collected mulloway, range in total length from 51 to 150 cm and have been aged between 3 and 22 years. Preliminary investigation has identified a dominant 3+ age cohort in 2014, suggesting a strong recruitment event occurred in 2011. Majority of mulloway (90 %) have been caught from estuaries where individuals have predominantly been ≤ 85 cm and ≤ 6+ years, corresponding to the approximate estimate of 50 % maturity. The high abundance of juveniles in Victorian estuaries therefore highlights the importance of these systems as nursery areas. Preliminary growth curves indicate Victorian mulloway exhibit fast but highly varied growth rates, particularly in their early years. The partnership with recreational fishers continues to enable insight into the age structures, growth rates and reproductive characteristics of the species. Donations have also provided the necessary genetic information to clarify the current uncertainty surrounding stock structures of mulloway throughout Victoria and their connectivity with interstate subpopulations.