Australia's premier table fish, "King George Whiting" was first officially scientifically named "Sillago Punctata" based on an individual taken from King George Sound in Western Australia. The species have a few commonly used names including "Spotted Whiting" in reference to its bars of brown spots. Other names are used in markets, mostly outside of Australia.

The King George whiting is the largest in its group and is quite easy to destinguish. It has an elongated, slightly compressed body with a tapered head and a terminal mouth to assist with bottom feeding.

The King George whiting is found throughout South Australian coastal waters but is most abundant in the waters of the Gulfs and Investigator Strait, and in the sheltered bays of the west coast of South Australia.

In southern estuaries they tend to be around the size of the legal limit, but farther north, around Perth, the range is likely to be from 700g up to 1.5 kilos.

King george spawn in offshore waters from late summer to winter. The eggs are buoyant and the larvae move inshore, with the aid of prevailing breezes and currents, where they remain for two to three years. At this age they are around 28cm, but they do not mature until they are three to four years old.

Australian Fish Resources notes that king george numbers declined dramatically in Westernport, Victoria, after a 70 per cent dieback of seagrass.

In deeper water it's possible to find coral formations which hold big whiting. If you locate one, take note of where it is because you're likely to find fish there again.

EATING: A superb table fish, the King George whiting is easily filleted to avoid small bones. Possibly Australias best tasting fish.

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