HAVING written a local fishing column for close to 40 years, I have been in the position to monitor fluctuations in fish population.

Some positive, some concerning.

Fish from the warmer northern waters are visiting us more regularly with increased reports of spangled emperor and pearl perch.

These fish are most welcome as their table qualities are first class.

One northern fish that I have been waiting to arrive is the mangrove jack.

Diners of fine fish, I’m sure, would agree that ‘jacks’ are hard to beat on the end of a line or in the kitchen.

Our local fish population of bream, flathead, luderick, whiting, mulloway and kingfish remain in healthy numbers while travelling schools of mullet are proving to be sustainable.

This past mullet season was a bumper for commercial fishers.

Salmon and tailor numbers remain stable.

On the other side of the coin, I am mystified as to the absence of thumping, green eyed squid.

Once so prolific that bag limits could be caught in a matter of minutes.

Where have they gone?

Abalone all but disappeared when the parasite perkinsus arrived and wiped out over 90 percent of the local population.

Thankfully there is a steady recovery.

Pipis remain a concern as Stockton Beach, once alive with the shellfish, is now home for very few.

I’m interested to hear your opinions on the issue, drop me a line at stinkerfishing@yahoo.com.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE