Dispatch Method:

Like their cousins the Australian salmon, the eating qualities of Australian herring can be greatly improved if they are killed immediately by iki jime, or a firm knock to the head before being placed in an ice slurry after bleeding. Smaller fish may also be killed by placing them directly in an ice slurry.

Fish Description:

• This species is superficially similar to juvenile Australian salmon, but are easily distinguished by their much larger eye, their rough scales, the distinctive black tips on their tail and their grey coloured pectoral fins.
  
• Small Australian salmon, on the other hand, have smooth scales and bright yellow pectoral fins.
  
• Australian herring mature in their second year of life at about 18 cm for males and 20 cm for females.
  
• Maximum age around 10-12 years.

Fish Distribution:

• This species can be found throughout Australia's southern coastline from Shark Bay in WA to as far east as Victoria and southern NSW.
  
• Adult Australian Herring from South Australia and Victoria undertake a long pre-spawning migration back to the southern WA coast.
  
• Spawning in this species occurs in coastal areas off the south west and southern WA coastline during the early winter months.

Fish Size Common Length:

15-30 cm, maximum size around 41 cm.