The numbers of mulloway reported throughout the Port Stephens system, along our beaches, over the reefs and islands, amazes me.

I can not recall when the population of mulloway has been greater, which makes me wonder how NSW Fisheries arrived at the conclusion that the species is over fished and under some degree of threat.

I can only assume that any research carried out must have centred around other systems, like the Hawkesbury.

I have noticed that the average sizes of the reported mulloway are smaller than say 20 years ago, which makes the thumper, caught by Ryde visitor Ken Loughrey, at the top of the scale.

Ken’s 33 kilogram, 1.75 centimetre whopper is a big fish which was caught over the Salamander Bay wreck drifting a fresh squid.

The wreck of the “Psyche”, which went down in 1940, is a great example of the effectiveness of an artificial reef.

Unfortunately, time and tide have combined to all but dissolve the old ship with very little of the structure remaining.

There may be a case to sink another structure nearby, whether it be a ship or one of the excellent artificial reefs under the control of DPI.