Rock Blackfish

Habitat Distribution

• Native to Australia's east coast — recorded from around Noosa in southern Queensland south through NSW to Apollo Bay in Victoria, plus northern Tasmania and Lord Howe Island.
• Relatively uncommon in Victoria west of Wilsons Promontory; the core of the fishery sits along the NSW coast.
• Lives on exposed rocky reefs in depths to about 25 m, but most fish are taken in very shallow turbulent wash zones — sometimes in less than half a metre of water.
• Juveniles use more sheltered ground like seagrass beds; adults school under piers and jetties as well as around open ocean rock formations.

Key Locations

• NSW mid-north coast and central coast — the core of the fishery, where fish aggregate to spawn in late winter.
• Jervis Bay, NSW — known rock platforms and headlands hold good numbers of fish year-round.
• Sydney's northern and southern headlands — fish school around rocky outcrops and under jetties, including around Manly.
• Batemans Marine Park, NSW — documented populations on exposed rocky reef.
• Northern Tasmania and southern Queensland (around Noosa) mark the range edges; fish are present but less concentrated than in NSW.

Specific Spots

• Deep channels between rock fingers where waves surge through — these funnel fish in with each wash and concentrate them in a small feeding zone.
• Submerged ledges and boulders coated in kelp, cunjevoi, red weed and green weed; the growth tells you where the food is, and the fish follow.
• White-water wash zones: the broken, aerated water gives fish cover and carries dislodged food items — pigs move in and out of nearby caves and ledges as each wave recedes.
• Half-tide to two hours before low tide is the traditional window at most spots, when fish can access the intertidal feeding zone without the rocks being fully submerged.