Eastern School Whiting, Sillago flindersi is the species that dominates the SESSF catch. Eastern School Whiting (also known as red spot whiting) occur from southern Queensland to western Victoria. Early genetic studies suggested two stocks in this range, with the division between ‘northern’ and ‘southern’ stocks in the Sydney – Jervis Bay area. The evidence for two stocks is weak, however, and current SESSF management and stock assessment assumes a single stock (Day 2010,2011, 2012).

Endemic to south-eastern Australia, Eastern School Whiting occurs from southern Queensland to western Victoria, and is considered to be a single biological stock for assessment purposes. Status is reported at the biological stock level.

There are some indications that two stocks may be present – a Queensland/NSW stock and a NSW/Victoria stock, but evidence is as yet “weak” and Eastern school whiting continues to be assessed as a single stock (AFMA, 2012).