Snapper fishery research findings

Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) is an iconic fish in South Australia and important for commercial, recreational, charter boat, and Aboriginal traditional fishers. However, we face a major challenge for Snapper sustainability in this state.

In 2019, management measures were announced to secure the long-term future of Snapper for all fishers and the wider community.

Snapper research is continuing to improve our understanding of Snapper biology and assessment of the community-shared stocks.

The 2022 Snapper fishery stock assessment report provides an updated assessment of the status of South Australia’s Snapper stocks.

Our Snapper assessments rely on integrating multiple sources of information, that includes long-term fishery data, extensive biological information (sex, age and length), and documented seasonal spawning activity through structured egg surveys. The science underpinning the assessment has been peer reviewed by leading fisheries scientists.

Snapper is a long-lived and slow growing species, with variable recruitment of juvenile Snapper, meaning that the number of baby fish that are produced, survive, grow older, and contribute to the adult population each year can vary greatly and is difficult to predict. Given this slow pace of life where populations are replenished by irregular recruitment events, it may take several years for the stocks to recover.

The current Snapper closure appears to have stopped the declines in biomass, but there is not yet evidence of stock recovery. There is, however, some evidence that the closure has allowed the Snapper to increase their natural schooling behaviour to spawn throughout the warmer months. These undisturbed schools of spawning fish may increase the potential for future spawning success and stock recovery.

  • The Spencer Gulf/West Coast and Gulf St Vincent Snapper stocks remain classified as depleted.
  • Both stocks are characterised by low biomass and have endured more than a decade of poor recruitment.
  • Snapper in the South-East region is part of the Western Victorian Stock and remains classified as sustainable.

Download the full Snapper Stock Assessment Report 2022 (PDF 11.0 MB)

Snapper assessment information session video

To help communicate the key findings of the assessment, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) hosted Snapper Science information sessions at various locations across the state.

Watch the presentation by Dr Mike Steer:

More information

Contact

Dr Michael Steer – Research Director
Aquatic Science, SARDI
Phone: (08) 8429 0115
Email: pirsa.sardiaquatics@sa.gov.au

Page last reviewed: 16 Dec 2022

 


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