*

Saddletail Snapper are widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific region. Genetic studies identified three broad biological stocks across northern Australia [Elliot 1996, Salini et al. 2006], but more recent research using otolith microchemistry and parasites has identified discrete biological stocks in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, Timor and Arafura Seas, and the Gulf of Carpentaria. This assessment is therefore presented at the biological stock level. All stocks are classified as sustainable. 

Saddletail Snapper is a widespread Indo-Pacific species found from Shark Bay in Western Australia, across northern Australia to the east coast of Queensland [Newman 2002]. Genetic studies indicate that three biological stocks occur across the species' Australian range: the North Coast Bioregion biological stock, the Northern Australian biological stock (including the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria) and the East coast of Queensland biological stock [Elliot 1996; Salini et al. 2006]. Saunders et al. [2018] used otolith microchemistry and parasitology to identify separate biological Saddletail Snapper stocks in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, Timor and Arafura seas and Gulf of Carpentaria.

Here, assessments of stock status are presented at the 5 identified biological stock level—North Coast Bioregion (Western Australia), Joseph Bonaparte Gulf (Northern Territory), Timor-Arafura seas (Northern Territory), Gulf of Carpentaria (Northern Territory and Queensland) and East coast (Queensland).

North Coast Bioregion

Saddletail Snapper is caught primarily on the north-west coast of Western Australia as a component of the multispecies Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Fisheries (which includes the Pilbara Fish Trawl (Interim) Managed Fishery, the Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery and the Pilbara Line Fishery) in the Pilbara management region of the North Coast Bioregion (NCB); and as a component of the multispecies Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery (NDSMF) in the Kimberley management region of the North Coast Bioregion of Western Australia. Saddletail Snapper are assessed on the basis of the status of several indicator species (including, for example, Red Emperor, Rankin Cod, and Bluespotted Emperor in the Pilbara region, and Red Emperor and Goldband Snapper in the Kimberley region) across the North Coast Demersal Resource (NCDR) that represent the entire inshore demersal suite of species occurring at depths of 30–250 m [Newman et al. 2018]. The indicator species in the Pilbara and Kimberley have been classified as sustainable [Wakefield et al. 2023]. The level of risk associated with the sustainability of Saddletail Snapper in the NCDR is assessed as low. This assessment of Saddletail Snapper is also supported by the results of a data-limited Catch-MSY assessment, where recent catches are compared to model predictions for maximum sustainable yield (MSY).

The total catch of Saddletail Snapper in the NCB over the last 10 years (2013–22) have ranged from 168–372 t, with a mean annual catch of 268 t. This is an increase on the average catches across the previous 10 years of 185 t. Recreational and charter catch are relatively low compared to the commercial catch, in the past 10 years where reliable catches estimates are available, their contribution of the total catch has averaged 2%. Analyses using a Catch-MSY model applied to data on annual catches for this species (1973–2022), demonstrated that the annual catches from 1985–2016 were below the median model estimate for maximum sustainable yield (MSY), but have been above MSY from 2017 to 2022, after having been around the 95% CI of MSY in 2019. The predicted values for biomass in recent years exhibit a declining trend but have remained above BMSY, and fishing mortality has remained below FMSY. However, it is important to recognise that Catch-MSY is a data-limited technique with strong assumptions, dependent on user inputs. For this assessment, these included specified ranges for initial depletion (0.8–0.975), based on low foreign fleets catch at the start of the time series, final depletion (0.15–0.7), based on recent catches relative to maximum recorded annual catch and the non-targeted nature of commercial fishing for this species, and low resilience (r=0.1–0.6, consistent with species longevity, of approximately 31 years in WA). Given the recent catches across multiple fisheries being within the predicted MSY range, and status of the indicator species for the NCDR, it is considered unlikely that the biomass of Saddletail Snapper in the NCB is depleted. The evidence also 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 North Coast Bioregion (Western Australia) biological stock is classified as a sustainable stock.

Saddletail Snapper biology [Fry and Milton 2009; Fry et al. 2009; McPherson et al. 1992; McPherson and Squire 1992; Carpenter and Niem 2001; Newman 2002; Newman et al. 2000]}

Western Australia – Active Vessels. Data is confidential as there were fewer than three vessels 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 Licence 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). Saddletail Snapper, Crimson Snapper and Indonesian Snapper catch were combined during the Northern Territory 2018 to 2019 recreational fishing survey. Saddletail Snapper was assumed to be a proportion of the total reported catch of these species [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 – Commercial (Catch). Queensland commercial and charter data have been sourced from the commercial fisheries logbook program. Further information are available through the Queensland Fisheries Summary Report: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/monitoring-research/data/queensland-fisheries-summary-report 

Queensland – Recreational Fishing (Catch). Data based at the whole of Queensland level and are derived from statewide recreational fishing surveys. Estimates have been converted to weight (tonnes) using best known conversion multipliers. Conversion factors may display regional or temporal variability.   

Queensland – Indigenous (Management Methods). For more information see: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/traditional-fishing

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

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