Seafood to Avoid Snapper Scientific name: Pagrus auratus Other names: tamure, kourea (Maori), madai, goushyuumadai (Japan), sea bream, bream, schnapper, NZ golden snapper, brim Ranking: E (Red - Worst Choice)

Icon Explanations

The fishery assessment plenary report states: SNA1 was last assessed in 2000: East Northland Ðfthe base case indicates that recruited biomass is at about Bmsy reference point and is expected to exceed Bmsy at the end of ther twenty year projection period. Hauraki Gulf/Bay of Plenty Ð indicates that the current recruited biomass is lessthan the Bmsy reference point but is expected to increase over the next twenty years under the current TACC and estimated levels of recreational and unreported catch. It is expected to exceed Bmsy at the end of the projection period. SNA2 : "As there are no indices of biomass, model estimates [2002] must be treated with caution. For almost all [model] runs, the current biomass was estimated to be near to or somewhat below BMSY but was projected to increase towards BMSY by 2006 at the current catch level (436t). SNA7 : "Model results [2002] indicated the stock should have rebuilt substantially since low levels of the early 1980s. However, there are no current indices of abundancefor this stock to verify the results... The results indicate the stock would continue to increase even if future catches were substantially larger than those currently being taken" SNA8 : "Current biomass (2004-05) was between 8 and 12% Bo and the biomass was predicted to slowly increase at the TACC level of 1500t. (MFish p873-874).

Market: Japan is the single largest export market, taking around half. Australia and Taiwan take some 30% between them. Export value of about $18 million.

Status and sustainable yield
Status: Depleted in most areas.
Annual catch limit: Set at 6,557 tonnes in 2002-03.
Recorded catch: Reported landings of 6,519 tonnes in 2005-06.
Population size: SNA 1 was at 18% of the unfished biomass and SNA 8 was between 8 and 12% of unfished biomass. SNA2 stock was probably below the recruited biomass that supports the maximum sustainable yield. SNA7 is thought to be rebuilding after being depleted to very low levels.
Stock trends: All stocks appear to be increasing but SNA8 projections forward assumes a level of recruitment higher than recent years and may not reach BMSY level for up to 60 years. The SNA1 stock assessment has not been updated since 2000.

Fishing method
Method: Bottom longlining, bottom trawling and some set netting.
Habitat damage: Bottom trawling damages fragile deepwater habitats and leads to a loss in biodiversity. (Thrush et al 1998)
Bycatch: Seabirds are caught as by-kill on longlines, including flesh-footed shearwaters and black petrels. Possible bycatch of endangered Hector's dolphins. Also the bycatch of non target fish species.
Ecological effects: Impacts of trawling on benthic habitats.

Management
Stock assessment: Quantitative stock assessments in all areas except QMA 2 and 3 but SNA1 was last carried out in 2000, and SNA2 and 7 was last undertaken in 2002.
Management plan: No.
Quota Management Species: Yes, since 1986.

Biology
Distribution: Mainly in the warmer coastal waters of the northern North Island and the Bay of Plenty, but ranges to the north of the South Island.
Maximum age (years): 60
Age at sexual maturity: 3-4
Growth rate: Low.
Reproductive output: Low to high.
Age exploited: 3-5

This page was updated on 9 November, 2007