Leatherjacket
pinungana (Fish)
In palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines, with thanks to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
Monacanthidae family (Leatherjacket)
2021/22 Leatherjacket Status (Released March 24)
| Stock Status | UNDEFINED | ||
| Summary | Several species of Leatherjacket are found in coastal waters around Tasmania. Most likely to be captured by coastal fisheries are the Brown-striped (Meuschenia australis), Toothbrush (Acanthaluteres vittiger), and Six-spine (Meuschenia freycineti) Leatherjacket. Leatherjackets are largely a by-product and not actively targeted due likely to a lack of market demand. However, impacts of historic catches (estimated at around 40 tonnes in 1995/96) on the biomass depletion of individual species are uncertain. Thus, there is overall insufficient information to confidently classify the status of Leatherjacket stocks, especially as multiple species are involved. | ||
| Importance | Minor | ||
| Stock | Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery | ||
| Indicator(s) | Catch, effort and CPUE trends | ||
| Managing Jurisdiction | Commonwealth | ||
Background
Leatherjackets are reef-associated species of the Monacanthidae family (Edgar 2008). There is no substantial commercial fishery for Leatherjackets in Tasmania and a small recreational fishery for this family. In the commercial fishery, Leatherjackets are a generally discarded by-product of fish traps and netting operations.
The full 2021/22 Scalefish Assessment, released March 2024, can be found at the link:
Learn more about what each stock status classification means on our Stock Status Classifications Information Page:
Social and Economic Indicators