Snapper - Description

Snapper (Pagrus auratus) are found in the temperate waters off all the Australian states, as well as off New Zealand. Juveniles are found in estuaries, while adults inhabit coastal and offshore waters. The farming of snapper (and mulloway) has been investigated in New South Wales in particular, where the temperate coastal waters are too cold for commonly farmed tropical species like barramundi but too warm for salmonids like atlantic salmon.

Farming Production

Several years ago, snapper (and mulloway) were identified by NSW Fisheries as two species having good potential for commercial marine finfish farming in New South Wales.

The trial production of farmed snapper has progressed to the stage of commercial production. In 2001-02, 24.2 tonnes of farmed snapper valued at $220 000 at the farm gate ($9.08 a kilogram) was produced in New South Wales.

Growout trials have also been undertaken in South Australia using juvenile Snapper produced through hatcheries at Arno Bay and Port Augusta. Following an extensive research and development phase, the first commercial harvest of snapper in South Australia occurred in 1998 (PIRSA 1999).

More recently, however, interest in farming snapper in South Australia appears to have taken a back seat to the farming of yellowtail kingfish.

In Western Australia, field research is being conducted on the impact of sea cage farming of both snapper and rainbow trout in experimental cages in Fremantle Harbour.

( REF. Australian Aquaculture. Industry profiles for selected species)

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