Stock assessment of Australian east coast snapper, Chrysophrys auratus Predictions of stock status and reference points for 2016

Abstract

Snapper, Chrysophrys auratus, is a valuable commercial, recreational and charter fish species throughout its temperate/subtropical range along Australia’s east coast. East coast snapper form a single genetic stock in ocean waters between Mackay (21.50S) in northern Queensland and about Eden (380S) in southern New South Wales. Fish in this eastern coast stock have been recorded to live for up to 41 years, with maturity occurring at four years of age.
This is the first assessment for the whole east coast stock. This comprehensive snapper stock assessment includes commercial, recreational and charter data sets from both New South Wales and Queensland (up to 2016). The assessment grouped the dynamics of the fishery into four fishing sectors: namely, 1) New South Wales commercial trap fishing, 2) New South Wales commercial and charter line, 3) Queensland commercial and charter line and 4) New South Wales and Queensland recreational. Changes in management arrangements through time were incorporated.