Abstract
Hatchery‐reared Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel) were released into estuaries of varying habitat between 1996 and 2004, and growth and recruitment to the fishery evaluated. Fish stocked earlier in summer had significantly faster growth rates ( P Argyrosomus japonicus stocked in the Georges River in 2003 and 2004 yielded fishery independent recapture rates up to 0.2%. For A. japonicus stocked in Smith’s Lake in 1997 and 2004, growth rates, timing of recaptures and increases in commercial catches suggested recruitment to the fishery by 18 months. The 1997 stocking led to a 30‐fold increase in A. japonicus catch, but stocking was not financially viable, with a cost:benefit ratio of 2.1. Small, shallow coastal lagoons may represent experimental units for refining stocking strategies, but are not optimal for A. japonicus . The potential for density‐dependent effects, and complex relationships between growth, habitat and mortality, highlighted the need for a thorough understanding of species – system interactions. Pilot releases can contribute to this understanding, particularly assessment of habitat requirements, and season, site and size‐of‐release.