Golden Lined Whiting - Relationship To Humans

Relationship To Humans

The golden lined whiting is a major commercial species in some parts of its range, particularly in Shark Bay and to a lesser extent in Queensland. It is often taken alongside other species of whiting which also constitute major parts of the local fishery. The amount of fish taken by professionals fluctuates, with an example monthly 1998/1999 catch weighing 5,399 kg, a massive amount less than the 196,293 kg of western sand whiting taken in the same period. Being that the juveniles enter mangrove creeks, the species may be a future candidate for estuarine aquaculture, which has seen other species of sillaginid cultured in Asia.

The species is a common target for recreational fishermen, with large catches possible. Golden lined whiting respond to bait which resembles their normal prey and are taken on yabbies, crabs, soldier crabs, mussels of many different sorts, worms and prawn, in particular jelly prawn. This species will also take a variety of wet flies and small lures. They are commonly caught over their foraging habitats, particularly sand flats, tailing sand banks, shallow and deep weed beds, over yabby beds, and particularly in muddy mangrove areas. The flesh of this whiting is sweet and although slightly softer in texture than the sand whiting, is equal to it for high eating quality.

In Queensland, the minimum size for taking golden lined whiting is 23 cm, and there is no limit the amount that can be taken.