Preliminary life history estimates of a commercially important resource: Goldband Snapper (Pristipomoides multidens)

Abstract

Rapid population growth along Australia’s east coast has led to increased pressure on fishery resources. As demand from both commercial and recreational sectors continues to rise, sustainable fisheries management—underpinned by robust, science-based assessments—has become increasingly imperative. Life history parameters of commercially and economically important species are fundamental inputs for stock assessments and evidence-based resource management. Goldband Snapper (Pristipomoides multidens) is a commercially important resource harvested across multiple fisheries and also a popular recreational target. On Australia’s east coast, however, this stock remains understudied. Recent increases in fishing pressure have triggered a priority stock assessment for the species in Queensland, but insufficient biological information currently limits this process. Knowledge gaps include essential life history parameters (e.g., age, growth, and reproduction) and genetic stock structure - critical for defining management boundaries. As part of an FRDC-funded project investigating the biology of deep-water finfish on Australia’s east coast (FRDC 2022-152), I present the preliminary findings on the life history of east coast Goldband Snapper to inform stock assessment and support the long-term sustainability and management of this important resource.