Spanish mackerel are the most important pelagic fish species harvested by Queensland's professional fishers. Spanish mackerel are harvested by professional fishers from Southport to the Torres Straits, with about 50% of the catch coming from the area off Townsville and Lucinda.

In 2001, the fishery was worth over $6 million in wharf value. The majority of Spanish mackerel are sold in local markets.

Fish are harvested using hook and line apparatus with baits either trolled or drifted through the water column.

The fishery operates under leading edge provisions in the Fisheries Regulations 1995 which ensure that fishermen harvest only what nature can replace.

An overall limit is placed on the annual harvest of Spanish mackerel to ensure catches remain sustainable, with limits also placed the amount each licence holder can harvest through an individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.

The fishery is also subject to numerous area closures, and a minimum legal size limit of 75cm applies to Spanish mackerel in Queensland.