Tropical snappers - Fishing for the facts

Tropical snappers, or Lutjanids, come in a range of shapes and sizes and are found in a variety of habitats. They may have several common names or confusing common names. Most species in this group are slow growing, late maturing (at about 5 years and >40 cm) and long lived (>25 years maximum lifespan). These characteristics, in conjunction with their aggressive nature, make them vulnerable to overfishing.

Much of our knowledge of tropical snappers comes from research undertaken in Queensland and Western Australia and more information is needed on Northern Territory stocks. This, in conjunction with a recognised need to increase the scientific monitoring of recreational fishing, means that NT Fisheries requires several hundred fish frames from each of the locally caught tropical snappers. Priority species are golden, stripey, crimson and saddletail snappers, red emperor and mangrove jack (see Snapper Snippets flyer for an ID guide to selected species). Frames from other tropical snappers as well as cods, coral trout and emperors can also be submitted.

Once the frames have been picked up (or delivered), scientists will estimate the length of the fish and remove the two otoliths (ear bones). Each otolith will be thinly sliced and the fish’s age estimated from the number of growth rings. By aging many fish from the same area we can then describe the age structure and estimate the fishing mortality rate for that location (information vital to management of these slow growing late maturing fishes).

Over $4000 in prizes available for 2010 - 2011

For each frame donated with the correct details you will gain an entry to both the annual and quarterly prize draws. The annual prize will be drawn at the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT) AGM typically held in February/March each year (Ph: 8945 6455 for details). Quarterly prizes for each of the drop-off points (listed below) will be drawn in February/March, June, September and November/December. Department of Resources staff are ineligible to receive prizes.

Sample labelling and packaging

Frames should be individually bagged to prevent labels getting mixed up. NT Fisheries will provide freezer bags and labels printed on waterproof paper to fishing clubs and charter boat skippers on request. Please also consider taking digital images of both your GPS/sounder and the fish shortly after capture so as to record the date, depth and location of fish capture.

Fisher contact details and exact capture co-ordinates will remain confidential.

Where to drop your frames off

Please drop your frames off at the locations below or contact the relevant fishing clubs listed. Decomposing or rotten material will not be accepted. Frames will be frozen until such time as they can be picked up and/or dissected by NT Fisheries staff.

• Darwin: NT Fisheries, Goff Letts Building, Berrimah Farm, Berrimah (open from 8:00 am to 4:21 pm weekdays - out of hours submissions may be possible by prior arrangement). Enter via Strath Rd and follow the Fisheries Licensing signs thereafter. Ph: 8999 2144 or email: fisheries@nt.gov.au.
   
• Dundee Beach: Dundee Lodge, Ph: 8978 2557.
   
• Gove/Nhulunbuy: Gove Tackle & Outdoors, Ph: 8987 1748.
   
• Groote Eylandt*: Alyangula Police Station, Ph: 8987 6122.
  *Financial assistance for shipment of project freezer to Groote Eylandt kindly provided by GEMCO
   
• King Ash Bay: King Ash Bay Fishing Club, Ph: 8975 9800.
   
• Limmen Bight River: Limmen River Fishing Camp, Ph: 8975 9844.

Download flyer

Download "Snapper snippets - Fishing for facts" flyer (PDF 591kB) for an ID guide to selected species.