Occurs in southern Australia, from Albany, Western Australia (Ref. 26611) to off New Castle, New South Wales; including Tasmania (Ref. 7300). Bass Strait population may have a uniform distribution based on biomass estimates (Ref. 26996, 26613). Contrary to assumptions, the difference in catchability around southern Tasmania suggested discrete stocks (Ref. 27006). The presence of a morphologically similar rock ling Genypterus tigerinus in catches and larval samples had confused analysis and identification of stocks. Pink ling have two forms: one existing on the shelf (i.e.to less than 200 m) and one in deeper slope waters. The deeper form constitutes virtually all of the South East Fishery catch.

Commercial fishery: Pink ling are taken year-round by demersal otter trawlers on the continental slope. It has become an important component of the South East Fishery since the Fishery expanded onto continental slope waters. Nevertheless, only 35% of the South East Fishery catch of pink ling is targeted. Most is taken as bycatch in the Fishery, mainly by fishers targeting gemfish and blue grenadier (Ref. 26997). South East Fishery catches of pink ling come mainly from waters off New South Wales, off Victoria from Lakes Entrance to Cape Howe and the west of the State, and off north-western Tasmania (Ref. 26997, 27006). In this Fishery, pink ling are caught in depths from approximately 100 m to 650 m, mostly between 350 m and 550 m. Around Tasmania, catches for pink ling are highest in the 550-600 m depth range (Ref. 26997). Pink ling catches are a small component of trawl landings from the Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery, with only 8 tons taken in 1989-90.

Droplining and bottom set longlining methods are also employed to catch pink ling on the continental shelf and upper continental slope. Pink ling are also an incidental catch of the Southern Shark fishery which uses bottom set longlines and gillnets off Victoria (Ref. 26997). Pink ling is caught by all methods off New South Wales southwards from Ulladulla.

Pink ling are probably at least 3 years old before they are caught in the trawl fishery (Ref. 6995). Average biomass of pink ling throughout the year at depths of 300 to 800 m has been estimated at 600 kg per square km in eastern Bass Strait.

Compared with many other fishes harvested in the South East Fishery, pink ling have a high market value. They are marketed locally as fresh and chilled whole fish, and they are also smoked.

Resource status: In 1993, the status of the resource was unclear. Indirect evidence from the commercial fishery suggested that only one-third of the pink ling catch comes from targeted fishing. Pooled length frequencies of pink ling caught by research trawls off southern New South Wales from 1975-77 to 1079-81 suggest a decrease in size (and presumably age) (Ref. 26997). However, length frequencies from the Sydney Fish Market from 1986 to 1991 showed no decline.

Also Ref. 9563, 27363, 34024.