Banded Morwong Fishery

​​​​​​​​​​​​Total Allowable Catch (TAC)

2025/26 TAC (KG)
2025/26​ TAC kg/quota unit

​​​​33,376

​​28


Overview

The banded morwong fishery is a component of the commercial ​scalefish fishery that targets banded morwong using large mesh gillnets. Almost all the catch is destined for live Asian restaurant​ market in Sydney and Melbourne. 

The fishery is centred on the east coast of Tasmania between St Helens and the Tasman Peninsula, with the largest catches coming from around Bicheno. Smaller catches have been taken along the south coast and around Flinders Island. Fishing is over inshore reefs, with gear set primarily in the 10-20 metre depth range. 

The total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2025/26 quota year has been set at 28 kg/quota unit (totalling 33,376 kg). There are 1,192 quota units in the banded morwong fishery. Go to the Public Notices page to view the detail about 2025/26​ quota year total allowable catch. 

Banded morwong

Managing the fishery 

The banded morwong fishery is managed under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995 and the Fisheries (Scalefish) Rules 2015

The fishery is currently managed by a combination of limited licences (26 licences) and quota (for the developed part of the fishery), gear limits, size limits and a two month annual spawning closure​. Catch limits are also in place for recreational fishers. ​

Area 

With the introduction of quota management system in 2008, the fishery was split into two areas: the TAC area and the non-TAC area. 

For assessment purposes, the state is divided into five regions, with the assessment regions 1, 2 and 3 being in the TAC area and the regions 4 and 5 in the non-TAC area. 

Go to the Ban​​ded Morwong Map page for more detail. 

Catch updates

Month

TAC Area Total KG Landed TAC Area Total KG Uncaught

% of TAC Taken

Non-TAC Area Total KG Landed

Monthly Beach Price $/KG*
May 2024 7,427
 25,949
22.3
 0
37.55​
June 2024 3,186
22,763 31.8 595 38.00 
July 2024 2,418
 20,345
39.0 659 38.00 
August 2024 3,333
 17,012
49.0
 0
38.00
September 2024 2,701
 14,311
57.1
 0
38.00
October 2024 1,925
12,386
62.9
 52
37.85
November 2024 1,525
10,861
67.5
 1,145
​ 
December 2024 2,005
 8,856

73.5

 44
 37.45
January 2025 5,484
 3,372
 89.9
 0
 
February 2025 1,998
 1,374

 95.9
 2,224
 
TOTAL

 32,002
1,374

95.9
 4,719
 37.73

^  As at 26 ​March 2025​.

*The monthly beach price is an average calculated from the monthly processer returns.​​

More information 

Tasmanian Banded Morwong Fishery Assessment 2023/24

2024 Operational Guide for the commercial​ Banded Morwong Fishery

Historical Banded Morwong Quota Landings since October 2008 

Status of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) Report 2023

  • Banded Morwong Fishery Map
    Map indicating the both the developed and undeveloped areas of the commercial banded morwong fishery, including the assessment regions.

Contact

Commercial Scalefish Management​
Level 3, 134 Macquarie Street
GPO Box 44
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 0475 635 841
Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fisheries.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au