Eastern Blue Groper
Regulations
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | — | 0 |
Closed: Year-round protection from line fishing (catch-and-release from 1 Mar 2023) | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about eastern blue groper
NSW state fish — curious, friendly inshore reef dweller found from southern QLD to eastern VIC. Spearfishing closed and rod-and-line take heavily restricted in NSW; in many areas they are no-take or limited to one fish. Best appreciated by leaving them alone or hand-feeding while diving.
Biology: Eastern Blue Groper size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Reef
- Typical size
- 40–80 cm (max 120 cm)
- Weight
- 3–15 kg (max 22 kg)
- Depth range
- 1–40 m
- Diet
- sea urchins, crabs, molluscs
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Southern Australia
How to target: Eastern Blue Groper angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- (NSW: catch-and-release only) — sight-fish red crabs on a no-weight rig along rock platforms
Safety & handling
Eastern Blue Groper fully protected in NSW from line fishing — return immediately.
Conservation
Eastern Blue Groper (Achoerodus viridis) — NSW state fish, protected. Western Blue Groper (A. gouldii) protected in some WA waters.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught eastern blue groper
No eastern blue groper catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.