Present along the east coast between approximately Cairns in Queensland (Ref. 27242) and the Gippsland Lakes in eastern Victoria. Its synonym Platycephalus mortoni was collected from salt water in the lower Burdekin River, Queensland (Ref. 94140).

Commercial fishery: Dusky flathead are one of the most valuable commercial estuarine fish in New South Wales (Ref. 27112). They are usually caught in sheltered coastal embayments, estuaries, coastal lakes and river mouths. In Queensland, most fishing is in the southeast of the State and takes place from late autumn to early spring. In New South Wales most of the catch comes from north coast estuaries from the Tweed to the Clarence rivers, and from the central coast between Watson Taylor Lake and Lake Illawarra. Dusky flathead are caught mainly by gillnets in New South Wales and tunnel nets in Queensland, although in eastern Victoria small catches are also taken in inlets using haul seines or handlines, or in open coastal waters by demersal otter trawlers working inshore for prawns (Ref. 27248).

Dusky flathead are sold whole, or gilled and gutted, or as fillets.

Recreational fishery: Dusky flathead are very important in recreational fishing. They are commonly sought by anglers in and near Moreton Bay, Queensland, mainly from late spring to early autumn. In New South Wales and eastern Victoria, they are popular in estuaries and coastal lakes such as Lake Macquarie, Botany Bay, Sydney estuary (Ref. 30555) and Port Hacking, Lake Conjola, Mallacoota Inlet and Gippsland Lakes. In Gippsland Lakes, dusky flathead are the second most popular angling target species after black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) (Ref. 28478) and about 21 t a year are taken there by recreational anglers.

Anglers fishing from shoreline or boat generally use baited handlines or rods fitted with lures to catch dusky flathead. Seine nets are used in some States. Specialist anglers target large flathead with live fish (eg mullet) as bait. Lure fishing for dusky flathead is best in summer months and provides good sport.

According to Australian Underwater Federation spearfishing records, the largest dusky flathead taken weighed 10.4 kg (New South Wales).

Resource status: The resource status of dusky flathead is unclear. Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmanian catches appear stable, but evidence of long-term trends is lacking. Commercial catches of dusky flathead have declined in Tamboon Inlet (Ref. 27248) but not in other Victorian inlets. The reason for the lower catches may include changes in commercial fishing gear and/or target preferences in Port Phillip Bay, and market competition from trawl-caught flathead from other areas (Ref. 26431). It is possible that populations of dusky flathead may be adversely affected by sedimentation, seagrass decline and other habitat changes in east coast inlets and estuaries.

Notes: Dusky flathead are often confused in catches with yank flathead, eastern blue-spotted flathead and northern sand flathead in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.