- Better Choice
- Eat Less
Red Emperor
Latin name: Lutjanus sebae
Common name: Emperor
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- Better Choice
- Eat Less
Wild Caught
Region:
NT
Note: Choose red emperor from the NT trap and line fishery over those caught in the trawl fishery.
- Red emperor is a tropical species caught in WA, QLD and the NT.
- Four populations of red emperor are caught in the NT fishery, mostly using trap fishing methods, but a lesser proportion is caught line and bottom trawl fishing methods.
- In 2020 NT red emperor populations were assessed individually for the first time, which was a welcome advance. Populations appear in healthy condition.
- Independent observer coverage of trawl fisheries in NT indicates some bycatch of endangered or protected sawfish, dolphins and hammerhead sharks, although it is unlikely that catch levels are contributing to further declines in these species.
- Though trap and line fishing methods present very low risk to habitat, the growing trawl fishery is of some concern for potential impacts to marine habitat.
- NT Offshore Snapper Fishery (76t in 2019)
Red emperor is a tropical species found across northern Australia but fished and managed by different jurisdictions. The largest fishery for the species operates in WA, with smaller quantities caught in QLD and the NT.
Red emperor is caught using trap, line and bottom otter trawl fishing methods in the NT.
Managers have determined that there are four distinct populations of red emperor caught in the NT fishery. While the status population accounting for a very minor proportion of the catch is unknown, the other populations were subject to a basic scientific assessment in 2020 which provides evidence that they are in healthy condition.
The amount of trawling occurring in the NT has expanded significantly since 2011, when trawling increasingly replaced trap and line fishing as the primary source of catch.
Independent fishery observer programs are an important method of verifying protected species interactions, as well as other fishery impacts, such as the type and volume of discarded catch. Independent observer coverage of trawl fisheries in NT indicates interactions with sawfish, dolphins and hammerhead sharks, although it is unlikely the catch level is contributing to further declines in the populations of these species.
The habitat trawled in the NT is poorly understood; currently the trawled area represents less than 5% of the total area available. Improved habitat mapping is a priority and is being undertaken as part of current management actions.
The trap and line fishing methods used to catch red emperor pose a low risk to other species or marine habitats, and can be considered a more sustainable GoodFish ranked ’Better Choice’ if available.
