Tagging studies reveal restricted movement of snapper (Pagrus auratus) within Shark Bay, supporting fine-scale fisheries management

Snapper (Pagrus auratus) populations in Shark Bay, Western Australia, exhibit highly restricted movement, supporting the implementation of fine-scale fisheries management zones. A 1980s tagging study revealed that 300 out of 491 recaptures occurred within 5 nautical miles of the tagging site, with only 3.3% crossing a newly defined zone boundary. A follow-up study from 1998 to 2003, involving 2558 tagged snapper, confirmed this pattern, with 181 out of 197 recaptures happening at the tagging site. Juveniles were found to be more sedentary than adults, while adults showed limited evidence of inter-annual spawning-site fidelity. These findings support the use of three small management zones in Shark Bay's Western Gulf, aiding community acceptance through collaborative research efforts.

Norriss, J. V., Moran, M., & Jackson, G. (2012). Tagging studies reveal restricted movement of snapper (Pagrus auratus) within Shark Bay, supporting fine-scale fisheries management. Marine and Freshwater Research, 63(11), 1191–1199. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf12077