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Redthroat Emperor
Latin name: Lethrinus miniatus
Common name: Emperor
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Wild Caught
Region:
WA
- Redthroat emperor is a tropical species caught in QLD and WA. The stock status is considered healthy in QLD.
- The stock status of redthroat emperor caught in WA is not measured directly. The overall health of the fishery is monitored through the stock status of three other species of fish. Robust management efforts have meant that all of these indicator species are recovering from their previously overfished status.
- Redthroat emperor from WA are caught in fisheries that catch a number of other species of coral reef fish, mainly using line methods. Stocks of most other reef fish caught are also uncertain.
- There is no observer coverage in WA; while line fishing is unlikely to significantly impact marine wildlife, there are concerns over bycatch of Australian sea lions in nets in WA. Gillnet exclusion zones around breeding colonies are due to be implemented mid-2018.
- WA West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (64t in 2015)
Redthroat emperor is a tropical species found across northern Australia but fished and managed by different jurisdictions. The stock caught in the QLD fishery is considered healthy, although there is less confidence around stock health in WA. The overall status of the health of the WA fishery that catches red emperor is monitored by using the stock status of three other species of fish (Western Australian dhufish, red snapper and baldchin groper) as indicators. Robust management efforts have meant that all of these indicator species are recovering from previously overfished status. A stock assessment for redthroat emperor was underway in WA in 2017, but was not available for inclusion in this assessment (in early 2018).
In WA, redthroat emperor are caught using line and gillnet fishing methods. While line fishing poses minimal risks to endangered animals, gillnet fishing can be a high risk to marine wildlife, including Australian sea lions and great white sharks. Gillnet exclusion zones around sea lion breeding colonies are set to be implemented by mid-2018.
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. There is no observer program in operation in the WA fishery, and issues with the reliability of reporting in gillnet fishery logbooks have arisen in the past.
The impacts of line fishing on the marine environment are minimal. Marine parks in WA offer some additional protection.
