Rays Bream

Bream Rays
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit5

 

possession limit10

 

boat limit-

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

Ray’s bream, southern Ray’s bream, Pomfret, golden pomfret, Atlantic pomfret


Scientific name

Brama brama

Grows to


Up to

60cm and 2kg

Identifying features


​An oval-bodied fish with a short, rounded head, large eyes and a slanted mouth. They are blue to black above with silver flanks and long pectoral fins. A closely related species, Brama australis or Southern Rays bream is also caught around Tasmania. It looks very similar but has a more pronounced slope on its head.

​Habitat

This offshore, open ocean species is normally found at around 500 metres but may come up to surface waters during times of full moon.

Fishing information

Rays bream are a very strong and powerful fish for their size. They will take a variety of fish and squid baits, devour plastic lures and are also taken using heavy jigs. They can form large dense feeding schools in summer and autumn in Tasmania which can readily be identified on good echo sounders. Historically taken in the tuna longline fishery off Tasmania, at times in large numbers. Also a prized catch when fishing for blue-eye trevalla and other deep water fish with droplines or electric reels, often taking a bait when retrieving or deploying fishing gear.

Cooking

These fish are excellent eating with white creamy flesh of an excellent texture and delicate taste.

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: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au