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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, which Is 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. 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 for four stocks—Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne (Western Australia) and East Coast Queensland and at the biological stock level for an additional four stocks—Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, Timor Sea, Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria.

East Coast Queensland

Species level reporting of Goldband Snapper in commercial logbooks began in 2007 and has helped to quantify catch as an indicator of fishing pressure. Commercial harvest of Goldband Snapper in Queensland is constrained by a multi-species total allowable commercial catch (TACC), in addition to species-specific harvest control rules as part of the Reef Line Fishery Harvest Strategy [QDAF 2020]. For secondary target and by-product species like Goldband Snapper, this includes catch reference points that trigger stock assessments and implementation of a species-specific TACC. Since 2007, commercial catch peaked in 2016–17 (62 t) but has since declined to 33 t in 2021–22.  There was no recorded catch in the latest recreational fishing survey, suggesting catch is likely low [Teixeira et al. 2021]. No formal stock assessments have been undertaken to quantify biomass levels of Goldband Snapper on the east coast of Australia. There is insufficient information available to confidently classify the status of this stock.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, East Coast Queensland management unit is classified as an 

undefined stock.

Gulf of Carpentaria

Goldband Snapper is mostly harvested by trawlers in the Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery (GOCDFFTF - Queensland) and Demersal Fishery (DF- Northern Territory). This stock was also subject to historical fishing from foreign fleets during the 1950s to the 1980s [O’Neill et al. 2011] but these catches were low (1945–80 average; 2 t). Total catch from the GOCDFFTF has historically been relatively low, averaging 22 t (from 2002–12) reaching a peak of 34 t in 2009–10. This fishery was inactive for several years, and no catch was recorded between 2016–19. In 2020–21 low activity in this fishery restarted and 6 t of catch was reported, catch in 2021-22 was similarly low (5 t). Catch is also constrained by a multispecies total allowable catch (TAC). There was no recorded catch in the latest recreational fishing survey, suggesting catch is likely low [Teixeira et al. 2021]. The DF only recorded small catches of Goldband Snapper (2006–14 average; 4.6 t), before effort in this stock area increased significantly with the total catch rising to 41 t in 2019–20 but has subsequently reduced to 8 t in 2020–21 and 16 t in 2021–22. 

A recent analysis using a stochastic Stock Reduction Analysis model based on data from both jurisdictions indicated that biomass of this stock is between 30% and 85% (5th and 95th), with a median value of 68%, of unfished levels. The SRA outputs also indicated that the current fishing mortality was more likely below the limit reference point and unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired [Pazhayamadom 2023]. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. 

Fishery independent surveys of biomass undertaken in 2021 indicated a larger biomass of Goldband Snapper than previously thought, with even peak catches representing only a small harvest percentage of the total biomass (< 3%) [Knuckey et al. 2022; Knuckey and Koopman 2022. It is important to note that these more recent surveys were designed to obtain a time-series of consistent and robust relative abundance indices and due to uncertainties around assumptions of catchability, herding and escapement, these one-off estimates of absolute abundance should be used with caution [Knuckey and Koopman 2022]. Regardless, these biomass estimates can assist in understanding the impact fishing has on this stock, with the low level of catch relative to biomass size indicating the level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Gulf of Carpentaria biological stock 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 are 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 2020–31 August 2021. These data are derived from those reported in Ryan et al. [2022].

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 – Recreational (Catch). Catch quantities are derived from those reported in West et al. [2022]. 

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: “Unless expressly provided otherwise, nothing in this Act derogates or limits the right of Aboriginal people who have traditionally used the resources of an area of land or water in a traditional manner to continue 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

Queensland – Commercial (Catch). Queensland commercial and charter data have been sourced from the commercial fisheries logbook program. Further information available through the Queensland Fisheries Summary Report https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/monitoring-research/data/queensland-fisheries-summary-report 

Queensland – Commercial (Management Methods). Harvest strategies are available at: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/sustainable/harvest-strategy

Queensland – Recreational Fishing (Catch). 

Data with high uncertainty (Residual Error >50 %) have been excluded and listed as unknown. More information available at: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/monitoring-research/monitoring-reporting/statewide-recreational-fishing-surveys 

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