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(Click for large pic. 19Kb)
The little MACKEREL TUNA (Euthynnus affinis (Cantor)) was given its name on the northern Queensland Mackerel-grounds, where it is an outsized nuisance to the professional troll-line fishermen, coming to baits and lures put out for the far-more marketable Narrow-barred Mackerel. This fish is gleaming blue-black above and silvery below, with up to five large black spots set on the belly, between the pectoral and ventral fins.
The Mackerel Tuna is readily recognised by the presence of a sharply-defined oval area high on the back, commencing beneath the first dorsal fin; this contains a pattern of at least ten oblique broken wavy dark lines, running up to the second dorsal fin and finlets.
This dark-fleshed Tuna ranges through Queensland coastal waters and out the length of the Great Barrier Reef, thence southwards into New South Wales; its further distribution extends to the Northern Territory, and warm waters of Western Australia.
It grows to a weight of 40 lb (19 kg); and remains a worthwhile table fish if the sliced fillets are blanched by brief immersion in hot water, steamed, and served with a white sauce. The Mackerel Tuna is a target for the light-tackle game fishermen.
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