Coral Reef Fin & Spanish Mackerel Closures

Coral Reef Fin & Spanish Mackerel Closures

October & November Fish Closures

Coral Reef Fin Closures 2026

Round 1 – Thursday, 8th of October – Monday, 12th of October (5 days)

Round 2 – Friday, 6th November – Tuesday, 10th November (5 days)

The coral reef fin & Spanish mackerel closures are selected on certain days based on moon phases. Coral trout, plus many other reef species, aggregate to spawn during this specific time. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has chosen these days to allow reef fish to replenish, ensuring healthy fish stocks for current and future generations of Queensland fishers. For these particular days, all charters are private sports/game fishing charters only. (Sorry, there are no shared bottom fishing charters; we only troll for pelagic fish species except for Spanish Mackerel – no take.) The targeted pelagic fish are longtail tuna, mack tuna, sailfish and black marlin. We use various lures, garfish baits and a variety of skirts to catch them. These days are a fantastic opportunity to catch big trophy pelagic fish like sailfish and black marlin!

Northern Spanish Mackerel Closures 2026

Round 1 – Thursday 8th of October until Thursday 29th of October (3 weeks)

Round 2 – Friday 6th of November until Friday 27th of November (3 weeks)

Spanish Mackerel closure is for two three-week periods (six weeks total) around the new moons in October & November each year. The northern closure dates will be adjusted in subsequent years to align with new moon periods. The northern closures apply to east coast waters north of latitude 22˚S. (located slightly north of Stanage Bay, between Mackay and Yeppoon). The East Coast Spanish mackerel fishery was assessed in 2021 as overfished, requiring urgent action to rebuild stocks. This harvest strategy aims to rebuild the stock to a level that achieves maximum sustainable yield. Subsequently, it pursues the long-term goal of achieving maximum economic yield while maintaining catch shares amongst the commercial, recreational, charter & Indigenous fishing sectors. During these two closures, we avoid fishing for Spanish Mackerel.

Management Changes For East Coast Spanish Mackerel

New East Coast Spanish mackerel fishery management arrangements have been in place since October 2022, following significant consultation with stakeholders. The changes aim to strike a balance between rebuilding the stock and providing more controlled access for recreational and commercial fishers.

The management actions for the East Coast Spanish mackerel include the following:

A northern closure in east coast waters north of 22˚S. (located slightly north of Stanage Bay, between Mackay and Yeppoon) for two three-week periods (six weeks total) around the new moons in October and November each year. The northern seasonal closures will provide vitally important protection for spawning aggregations.
A southern closure in east coast waters south of 22˚S. (located slightly north of Stanage Bay, between Mackay and Yeppoon) for two three-week periods (six weeks) in February and March each year.

In subsequent years, northern closure dates will be adjusted to align with new moon periods.

In consideration of pre-existing charter bookings made up to a year in advance. Seasonal closures will not apply to recreational fishers on licensed charter fishing trips until the following season, starting on 1 July 2023.

Other key management changes for Spanish mackerel closures

On 1 July 2023, the recreational possession limit will change to one fish per person or two fish per boat with two or more recreational fishers on board (the boat limit will not apply to licensed charter fishing trips).
On 1 July 2023, the extended charter trip limit was removed. (It used to allow recreational fishers to take twice the in-possession limit for charter trips longer than 48 hours).
On 1 July 2023, the total allowable commercial catch will be adjusted to 165 tonnes for the 2023 fishing season.
A new smartphone app will be developed for recreational fishers to voluntarily report Spanish mackerel catches on the East Coast and shark depredation. By supplying your catch information, you will also improve our data and the accuracy of our fish stock analyses.
A new education and awareness program will be introduced to promote best-practice catch, release, and handling techniques for recreational fishers.

Please be aware of Coral Reef Fin & Spanish Mackerel Closures when booking your fishing charter with the TGF team.

Topnotch Game Fishing

Living On Island Time & Fishing In Paradise

If you’re looking for a professional fishing charter experience from Hamilton Island, look no further than Topnotch Game Fishing. We offer various charter options, such as shared half-days, private half-days, private full-days & liveaboard fishing charters at the Great Barrier Reef. We pride ourselves on our topnotch expertise and passion. I look forward to your inquiry! Contact Marlene today at 1300 347 444 or email tgfcharterinquiries@gmail.com

Topnotch Fishing Information

coral reef fin closures, fish closures, spanish mackerel closures

Topnotch Game Fishing