This map shows the connectivity of Spanish mackerel in the Great Barrier Reef and its surrounding areas: Torres Strait, Coral Sea and Great Sandy regions. The arrows indicate the strength and nature of the connection between the regions. This map is intended to identify where one region is dependent on a neighbouring region.
Additional notes: Torres Strait mackerel move into PNG waters but the extent that they move and are exploited in PNG waters is unknown. They spawn around Bramble cay and black rock in Torres Strait, and in the reefs east of Townsville. Torres Strait is only connected to Coral sea to the extent of Ashmore reef.
The data for this map was developed based on expert opinion (Peter Speare, Dave Welch).