Black Fillet Project
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Submitted Sightings

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Fisher feedback

To date, we have received many reports of black fillets (melanisation) from fishers where it is primarily observed in sand flathead. Aside from sand flathead, reports of melanisation in other fish species have also been reported for the first time. We have also started receiving reports from other Australian states outside of Tasmania.
Sand Flathead
Other Fish Species

Sand Flathead

So far, a total of 315sand flathead were caught, where 77 had melanisation.

Degrees of melanisation:

Images supplied by recreational fishers:

Sand flathead fillets from Corner Inlet, Victoria (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Smooth Island (Major melanisation) 1
Sand flathead fillets from Smooth Island (Major melanisation) 2
Sand flathead fillets from Smooth Island (Major melanisation) 3
Sand flathead fillets from West of Fulham Island near Dunalley (Moderate melanisation)
Melanisation Moderate
Sand flathead fillets from King George Sound (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from North West Bay (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from North West Bay (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Ansons Bay (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Ansons Bay (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Great Bay, Bruny Island (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Great Bay, Bruny Island (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillet from Frederick Henry Bay- Lauderdale (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillet from Frederick Henry Bay- Lauderdale (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillet from Frederick Henry Bay - Lauderdale (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillet from Frederick Henry Bay - Lauderdale (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Marion Bay (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Marion Bay (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Dunalley Jetty 2 (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Dunalley Jetty 2 (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Port Arthur (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Port Arthur (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Dunalley Jetty (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Dunalley Jetty (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from North West Bay (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from North West Bay (Moderate melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Ansons Bay (Major melanisation)
Sand flathead fillets from Ansons Bay (Major melanisation)
Melanisation Moderate
Melanisation Moderate
Melanisation Moderate
Melanisation Moderate

Black worm:

In addition, we have received new reports that even though the fish had no melanisation, black worms can be observed in the fish roe. Pictures below were from sand flathead caught at White Beach.

Other Fish Species

So far, a total of 12 other fish species were caught, where 2 had melanisation.

Images supplied by recreational fishers:

Jackass Morwong - Moderate Melanisation
Jackass morwong fillets from Maria Island (Moderate melanisation)
Thanks are extended to those fishers who have submitted reports and photos.
Updated on 5th May 2021
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