
John Dory, a fish native to Australia, is a delicacy that can be found in the United States. With its large head and mouth, this demersal species dwells near the seabed in coastal and continental shelf waters, ranging from southeastern Queensland to Western Australia. While it is managed by a quota system in Australia, limiting commercial fishing, it is still possible to find John Dory in the US. This paragraph aims to explore where one might find this Australian fish in the United States and provide insights into its habitat and fishing regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species | John Dory, Silver Dory, Mirror Dory |
| Habitat | Coastal and continental shelf waters, close to the sea bed |
| Depth | 200-550 metres |
| Distribution | Patchy; found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia |
| Prey | Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, cephalopods |
| Predators | Sharks, large bony fish, marine mammals |
| Reproduction | Reaches maturity at 3-5 years; spawns off New South Wales coast in late summer and autumn |
| Fishing Methods | Trawl nets, Danish seine |
| Management | Quotas, restricted gear and boats, catch records, closures, mesh size regulations, mitigation devices |
| Flesh | Succulent, white, sweet, finely textured |
| Cooking | Baked, grilled, barbecued, fried, steamed, poached, coated in foil |
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What You'll Learn

Silver Dory in Sydney
Silver dory, or *Cyttus australis*, is a species of dory endemic to the waters of southern Australia. They are found on the continental shelf, in reef and soft-bottom habitats, at depths ranging from 10 to 350 metres. Sydney, located on Australia's east coast, is within this southern region.
The silver dory has a distinct appearance, characterised by a highly compressed, plate-like body with a large head and mouth. They typically grow to about 40 cm in length. As a demersal species, they live close to the seabed and are generally solitary. Silver dory spawn off the coast of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, in late summer and autumn.
In terms of their distribution, silver dory are found year-round in the waters off the coast of New South Wales, where they are most commonly caught. They can be found in shallow inshore waters, as well as at depths of up to 400 metres. This depth range overlaps with the typical habitat of the silver dory, indicating that Sydney is within their preferred habitat range.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) manages the commercial catch of silver dory, also known as John dory, through quotas and gear restrictions. This is due to the species being assessed as overfished in 2021. The AFMA has implemented management arrangements to reduce the total catch and protect at-risk species.
In summary, the silver dory is a species of fish found in southern Australia, including the waters off the coast of New South Wales, where Sydney is located. They inhabit the continental shelf and deeper waters, and AFMA manages their commercial catch to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
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John Dory in Queensland
John Dory, a type of demersal fish, can be found in Queensland, Australia, in the south-east of the state. They are a non-target species and are usually caught incidentally in net and line fisheries. John Dory is a byproduct species for the NSW Ocean Trawl Fishery (OTF), and the annual commercial catch from these waters has declined over the past decade.
John Dory has a silvery to olive-green appearance, with a blue-black spot surrounded by a yellowish ring on each side of its body. They often have darker, wavy lines on their bodies, and their scales are very small. The fins are dusky-coloured and spiny. They can grow up to 65 cm in length and weigh around 3 kg, though they are more commonly found at lengths of 30-45 cm and weighing 0.5-1.5 kg. Females tend to be larger than males and also have a longer lifespan, surviving up to 15 years.
John Dory is a solitary fish that lives close to the seabed in coastal and continental shelf waters. They can be found at depths of up to 400 metres, though they are typically found in shallower waters. They are known to spawn off the coast of New South Wales in late summer and autumn, and they are considered to have a patchy distribution, using a variety of habitats, including open sand, muddy grounds, rock structures, and reefs.
In Queensland, the catch of John Dory has decreased in recent years due to reductions in licences and fishing efforts. The commercial catch peaked at 23 tonnes in 1993 but has since declined, with an average catch of 2.8 tonnes over the last decade from 2001 to 2022. The recreational harvest of John Dory in Queensland is considered low, with no reported catch in the most recent recreational fishing survey.
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Mirror Dory in WA
John Dory, a fish native to Australia, can be found from south-eastern Queensland around the south of the country and north to the central coast of Western Australia. They are predominantly caught off the coast of New South Wales, where they spawn in late summer and autumn. John Dory have been assessed as overfished, and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has implemented management arrangements to reduce the total catch.
John Dory is a demersal species, living close to the seabed in coastal and continental shelf waters, at depths of up to 400 metres. They tend to favour a variety of habitats, including open sand, muddy grounds, rock structures, and reefs. They are solitary fish with a unique appearance, characterised by highly compressed plate-like bodies, large heads, and large mouths. Their bodies are delicate, which makes their fillets ideal for coating or wrapping in foil for cooking.
While the above information refers specifically to John Dory, there is another species of Dory found in Australia called the Mirror Dory (Zenopsis nebulosa). Mirror Dory are found in the southern Pacific Ocean, at depths ranging from 30 to 800 meters. They can grow up to 70 cm in length and are distinguished by their uniform silver, scaleless bodies, with elongated pelvic fin rays and large flat spines at the base of their dorsal and anal fins.
In Western Australia (WA), Mirror Dory are specifically found in the southern region of the state, as this is considered part of the southern Pacific Ocean where they reside. They tend to favour deeper waters, which can be accessed by fishing vessels capable of reaching these depths. The distribution of Mirror Dory in WA may overlap with that of John Dory, as the latter is also found in the central coast region of the state.
Anglers and fishermen in WA seeking to target Mirror Dory should focus their efforts on depths beyond 30 meters, utilising appropriate fishing gear and techniques suited for these deeper waters. Local fishing charters or fishing communities in WA may provide valuable insights into specific hotspots or techniques for targeting Mirror Dory in the region. Additionally, adhering to local fishing regulations and size limits is crucial for the sustainable enjoyment of this unique fishery.
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John Dory in NSW
John Dory is a fish species found in coastal and continental shelf waters around most of Australia. They are demersal, meaning they live close to the seabed, at depths of up to 400 metres. John Dory is distributed across the southern half of Australia, with the main concentrations found in southern New South Wales (NSW). They are also present in eastern Victoria and as far north as Bundaberg in Queensland.
In NSW, John Dory can be found in Sydney Harbour, where they are occasionally caught by anglers targeting other species. They are known to inhabit offshore deepwater reefs during the summer months and move into bays and harbours in May before retreating back to the offshore reefs in September. John Dory spawn off the coast of NSW in late summer and autumn, and their catch is managed by quota to prevent overfishing.
John Dory has a distinctive appearance, with highly compressed plate-like bodies, large heads, and large mouths. They are solitary fish and are not typically targeted by anglers due to their reputation as poor fighting fish. However, they are susceptible to lightning-fast attacks on their prey, as they are capable of bursting speed when stalking baitfish.
The commercial catch of John Dory in NSW waters has declined in recent years, with a decrease in effort and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) reported. The majority of the John Dory catch in Australia comes from the Commonwealth-managed Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF), with small catches from state jurisdictions. Management arrangements have been implemented to reduce the total catch and protect this species, including restrictions on the number of boats and gear types used for fishing.
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Commercial fishing rules
John Dory, a fish native to Australia, can be found in the coastal waters of the country's southeast, from Queensland to Western Australia, with most catches occurring off the coast of New South Wales and eastern Victoria. They inhabit depths ranging from shallow inshore waters to approximately 400 metres. While John Dory is not commonly found in the US, similar fish species, such as the panfish, can be found in US waters.
In the United States, commercial fishing regulations are enforced by the NOAA Fisheries, in collaboration with regional fishery management councils, interstate marine fisheries commissions, and international fisheries management organizations. These regulations vary depending on the region, fishing type, target species, and gear utilised. Commercial fishermen operating within state waters must adhere to the rules and requirements set by the state or US territory. Federal commercial fishing permits are typically issued by the regional offices of the NOAA Fisheries, and vessels may require multiple permits depending on their target fisheries.
The NOAA Fisheries plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and sustainability of the nation's fisheries. They oversee both commercial and recreational fishing activities, ensuring compliance with established regulations. The regional fishery management councils are responsible for establishing specific management measures, such as fishing seasons, size limits, and bag limits, based on scientific research. These measures are then implemented by the NOAA Fisheries.
Commercial fishing for John Dory in Australia is managed through quotas and restrictions. The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) sets weight limits on the catch of John Dory by commercial fishers and controls the number of boats and the type and amount of gear used for fishing this species. These measures are in place to prevent overfishing and protect the vulnerable John Dory population.
It is important to note that the information provided regarding commercial fishing regulations in the US and Australia may not be exhaustive, and specific details may change over time. For the most up-to-date and region-specific information, it is recommended to refer to the websites of the NOAA Fisheries and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
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