Looking after our fish stocks is all about being good custodians: making sure that the next generation of Territorians have great fishing in their future.
We have been out chatting to long-time fishers, who tell us fishing for Golden Snapper just isn’t what it used to be. They are catching less fish, and the ones they do catch are smaller. The science tells us the same thing. Around Darwin, Golden Snapper are Depleted: There are only 14% of breeders left.
Without action, opportunity to catch Golden Snapper around Darwin is at risk. In the NT, Golden Snapper is an indicator species for the health of other reef fish. Recovery actions will also benefit other reef fish under similar fishing pressure.
In 2015, Reef Fish Protection Areas and changes to possession limits were brought in to help Golden Snapper stocks.
Stronger management tools will be needed if we are to improve the numbers of Golden Snapper.
High fishing pressure combined with their biological characteristics has prevented natural recovery.
• They are slow growing compared to other NT species (they take 5 to 8 years to get to breeding size (50-60cm) compared to 3 years for Barramundi.
• They "school up", making them easy to find, and easy to keep fishing for.
• Many fish die of barotrauma when caught, even if they are released, especially in water over 10m depth.
Golden Snapper catch in the Darwin area is 77% recreational, 22% Charter fishing, and 1 % commercial, so your help is the key to their recovery.
To have the best chance of recovering Golden Snapper we need to get stocks from 14% biomass to 30% within 14 years, one Golden Snapper generation.
Our scientists have calculated that we need to cut catch by more than half in the Darwin area.
Three main tools that work together have been identified to get recovery back on track:
• Seasonal Protections
• Possession and Vessel Limits
• Reef Fish Protection Areas
Plus, some extra tools to support recovery and provide more fishing opportunities that help to protect our reef fish.
The more we do now, the better the chances of recovery. Using these tools lightly may not be enough. Strong use gives Golden Snapper the best chance to recover.
Protecting our fishing resources is a shared responsibility, and everyone should have their say. We want to show future generations we did what was needed to protect our Territory lifestyle.
