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Goldband Snapper is widely distributed across northern Australia. There are nine stocks—defined at either the management unit or biological stock level—across WA, the NT and QLD. All are classified as sustainable apart from the East Coast Queensland management unit and the Gulf of Carpentaria and Joseph Bonaparte Gulf biological stocks, which are undefined.

Goldband Snapper is widely distributed throughout northern Australia and the tropical Indo–West Pacific. Ovenden et al. [2002] examined the genetic connectivity of Goldband Snapper using mitochondrial DNA from samples collected at six Australian locations (four in Western Australia: Exmouth, Pilbara, Broome, Northern Kimberley; two in the Northern Territory: Timor Sea, Arafura Sea) and three south east Asian locations (Kupang, Irian Jaya, Madang). The mitochondrial DNA data for Goldband Snapper did not differ genetically among Australian locations, except for the northern Kimberley location that exhibited restricted gene flow. Ovenden et al. [2002] reported that samples taken from locations in Southeast Asia were genetically distinct from those sampled from Australian locations. This study indicated that within the region sampled, Goldband Snapper are likely to form a single biological stock.

 Newman et al. [2000] examined otolith stable isotopes in each of three management regions in Western Australia (Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne), and across northern Australia. Significant differences in stable isotope ratios provided evidence that there was limited mixing of adult Goldband Snapper between all sites sampled in Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Therefore, each of these broad locations could be treated separately for the purposes of fishery management, if management arrangements were mediated in a way that harmonized with the spatial patterns of exploitation. Recently, Saunders et al. [2018] used otolith microchemistry and parasitology to identify separate biological Goldband Snapper stocks in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, Timor Sea, Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria.

 Here, assessment of stock status is presented at the management unit level—Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne (Western Australia) and East Coast Queensland and at the biological stock level for the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, Timor Sea, Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria.

Gascoyne

The stock assessment for Goldband Snapper in the Gascoyne management unit is based on an assessment of fishing mortality derived from catch curve analysis of representative samples of the age structure in the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery (GDSMF, Western Australia). These fishing mortality-based assessments use reference levels that are based on ratios of natural mortality for each species: such that F_target = 2/3M, F_threshold = M and F_limit = 3/2M [DPIRD 2017]. An assessment of fishing mortality for Goldband Snapper was undertaken in the GDSMF in 2017. The fishing mortality based assessment and associated uncertainty ranges indicated that the fishing levels on Goldband Snapper in this management unit were less than the fishing mortality target level. This indicates that, on average, the level of exploitation experienced by Goldband Snapper in the Gascoyne has been low. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired.

Goldband Snapper catches from the GDSMF (Gascoyne management unit) ranged from 240–311 tonnes (t) between 2002 and 2004 [Gaughan and Santoro 2018]. Catch levels from 2005–09 were lower, ranging between 105 and 144 t. Goldband snapper catches in the GDSMF over the last 10 years (2010–19) have ranged from 33–97 t. The catch of Goldband Snapper in 2010 reduced to 33 t, then the catch remained low and stable for the next seven years (2011–17), ranging from 48–78 t, with a mean annual catch of 62.5 t. In the past 2 years (2018–19) catches have increased and have ranged from 84–97 t, with a mean of 90.5 t. The above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Gascoyne (Western Australia) management unit is classified as a sustainable stock.

Kimberley

Goldband Snapper is exploited throughout its distribution in Western Australia. It is one of the indicator species used to assess the status of the demersal scalefish resources in the Kimberley subregion of the North Coast Bioregion of Western Australia [Newman et al. 2018]. The major performance measures for Goldband Snapper in the Kimberley management unit are estimates of spawning stock levels and fishing mortality in the Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery (Western Australia) (NDSMF) using an integrated age-structured stock assessment. The target reference level of spawning biomass is 40 per cent of the unfished (1980) level, with a threshold reference level of 30 per cent and limit reference level of 20 per cent [DPIRD 2017]. The spawning biomass of Goldband Snapper was estimated to be approximately 30 per cent of the unfished level in the Kimberley management unit (i.e. at the threshold reference level) in 2017 (the year the last integrated assessment was undertaken) [Newman et al. 2020]. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired.

The fishing mortality based assessments utilise the fishing mortality rate reference levels defined for the Gascoyne management unit. The level of fishing mortality on Goldband Snapper in this management unit is at or below the limit reference level (F=3/2M) in 2017. However, these estimates remain highly uncertainty due to data limitations [Newman et al. 2020]. Goldband Snapper catches from the NDSMF (Kimberley management unit) over the last 10 years (2010–19) have ranged from 400–602 t, with a mean annual catch of 490 t. The above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Kimberley (Western Australia) management unit is classified as a sustainable stock.

Pilbara

A stock assessment for Goldband Snapper in the Pilbara management unit was undertaken in 2009, based on an assessment of fishing mortality derived from catch curve analysis of representative samples of the age structure in the Pilbara demersal scalefish fisheries (Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery, Pilbara Line Fishery and Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery). These fishing mortality based assessments utilise the reference levels defined for the Gascoyne management unit. The fishing mortality based assessments indicated that the estimated fishing level on Goldband Snapper in this management unit was either below the fishing mortality target level, or between the target and threshold levels in 2008, depending on the area of the fisheries [Newman et al. 2020]. This indicates that fishing at that time was not having an unacceptable impact on the age structure of the population. Subsequently, assessment of the overall demersal fish resource in the region has been based on indicator species selected from the suite of demersal scalefish taken (based on their inherent vulnerability and overall risk to sustainability) [Newman et al. 2020]. The levels of fishing mortality on the indicator species, Red Emperor, Rankin Cod and Bluespotted Emperor in the Pilbara subregion of the North Coast Bioregion of Western Australia [Newman et al. 2018] overall, were either less than the target level or between the target and the threshold level. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired.

Goldband Snapper catches from the Pilbara demersal scalefish fisheries (Pilbara management unit) over the last 10 years (2010–19) have ranged from 113–217 t. The catch of Goldband Snapper in the Pilbara demersal scalefish fisheries has been consistent and stable for the past five years (2015–19), ranging from 192–217 t, with a mean annual catch of 206 t. The above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Pilbara (Western Australia) management unit is classified as a sustainable stock.

Goldband Snapper biology [Newman et al. 2001, Newman and Dunk 2003, Wakefield et al. unpublished data]

Western Australia – Commercial (catch) Goldband Snapper forms part of the combined Total Allowable Commercial Catch for other mixed demersal species in the GDSMF.

Western Australia – Active Vessels Data is confidential as there were fewer than three vessels operating in Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery and Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery.

Western Australia – Recreational (Catch) Boat-based recreational catch is from 1 September 2017–31 August 2018. These data are derived from those reported in Ryan et al. [2019].

Western Australia – Recreational (management methods) A Recreational Fishing from Boat License is required for the use of a powered boat to fish or to transport catch or fishing gear to or from a land-based fishing location.

Western Australia – Indigenous (management methods) Subject to application of Section 211 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), and the exemption from a requirement to hold a recreational fishing licence, the non-commercial take by Indigenous fishers is covered by the same arrangements as that for recreational fishing.

Northern Territory – Charter (management methods) In the Northern Territory, charter operators are regulated through the same management methods as the recreational sector but are subject to additional limits on license and passenger numbers.

Northern Territory – Indigenous (management methods) The Fisheries Act 1988 (NT), specifies that “…without derogating from any other law in force in the Territory, nothing in a provision of this Act or an instrument of a judicial or administrative character made under it limits the right of Aboriginals who have traditionally used the resources of an area of land or water in a traditional manner from continuing to use those resources in that area in that manner”.

Queensland – Indigenous (management methods) for more information see https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/traditional-fishing

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