Exmouth Gulf — Australian Seafood Guide

About Exmouth Gulf

Adjacent to Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth Gulf supports a tightly-managed tiger prawn fishery and a famous recreational game-fishing scene.

Catch & production

Volume: 1,800 t (2023)

Economic value

~$45M (2023)

Key facts

Exmouth Gulf Prawn Fishery
Adjacent to Ningaloo Marine Park (World Heritage)
Game-fishing for marlin, sailfish, mackerel

Top species caught here

King Prawns

~85% of catch

Exmouth Gulf Banana and Tiger prawns.

Mahi-mahi

~5% of catch

Fleet & ports

Fleet profile

Vessels: 11

Home ports: Exmouth

Key fishing ports

Exmouth — Prawn fleet base for the gulf.

Processors, co-ops & markets

Mareterram

processor

MG Kailis

processor

Historical timeline

1963
Exmouth Gulf prawn fishery commences.
2000
BRDs (Bycatch Reduction Devices) mandated.

Cultural & heritage significance

Exmouth Gulf is the gateway to Ningaloo Reef — and the prawn fishery operates with a sharp focus on environmental stewardship in proximity to a World Heritage site.

Visitor experiences

Ningaloo Reef game-fishing — Mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish

Sources cited on this page

Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2023 — ABARES (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), 2024
Annual statistical compendium covering volume, value, exports, employment.
Western Australian fisheries status reports — WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 2024