Feeding patterns of school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Queensland east-coast waters

Abstract

Seasonal feeding and dietary overlap patterns between school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) and spotted mackerel (S. munroi) in Queensland east-coast waters, Australia (16˚S to 28˚S), were examined from June 1992 to January 1995. School mackerel have a more diverse diet than spotted mackerel, with the diets of both species being dominated by pilchards, anchovies and herring. Dietary overlap between school and spotted mackerel appeared to be limited owing to temporal and spatial separation. The seasonal availability of certain prey items may play an important role in attracting mackerel into inshore waters where they become accessible to the commercial and recreational fisheries.