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The RAP Report

Providing anglers feedback on the data you're collecting from some of NSW's key recreational species.

Welcome to the latest issue of the NSW Research Angler Program (RAP) newsletter. In this edition, we will be focusing on the ever-popular Snapper. Snapper are a species which inhabit many different environments from tidal estuaries, inshore reefs, deep reefs and even out to the continental shelf, making them widely accessible for many anglers.

Snapper Size Variation

Many of our keen anglers have been donating their Snapper frames over the winter period and we have some great data to share. Typically, the larger the snapper, the older the fish. However, there is always some variation in ages as seen in our length age graph of samples received from anglers.
Snapper length age graph for snapper donated to the RAP

Bob King was one of the anglers who donated a great Snapper he caught near Kiama over winter. Bob's fish measured 71 cm in length and was aged at 20 years old. Bob's fishing partner Steve Thurstan caught a smaller snapper of 55 cm from the same area which was a younger fish aged at 5 years old.

Top: Bob King's 71 cm Snapper aged at 20 years old.
Bottom: Steve Thurstan's 55 cm Snapper aged at 5 years old.

However, the length of a fish doesn't always reflect the age of a fish as recently observed with fish caught in the Coffs Harbour region by Dave Rae and Paul Blade. Dave's fish ranged from 35 cm to 65.5 cm while Paul's fish were of a similar size class ranging from 42.2 cm to 64.2 cm. Remarkably all of Dave’s donated fish were under 6 years old (3 to 6 years) and all of Paul's fish were over 10 years (10 to 16 years) as shown in the below graph.
Snapper length to age comparison

Above: Comparison between Dave Rae's snapper (yellow) and Paul Blade's Snapper (Red).

Have you ever wondered how to extract your otoliths?

Most of our contributors are aware of how their donations are aged but have you ever wondered how we remove the otoliths? Many anglers are able to remove the otoliths from Mulloway due to their large size and robustness. Snapper, on the other hand, have much more fragile otoliths and more care has to be taken when removing them. This information may prove useful for anglers if they are away on a trip and unable to donate an entire frame for ageing.

Firstly the gills are removed to expose the base of the skull. Removing the internal organs allows clean and easy access to this area.

Using a small set of pliers or side cutters, remove the protective bone plate as shown. In some larger specimens, this can be quite thick and will need to be removed in pieces.

With a firm twist, the section of bone will come loose exposing the cavity where the otoliths are located. Removing otoliths from snapper

Once the bone has been removed you can clearly see the otoliths in position either side of the cavity.
Removing otoliths from snapper

The otoliths can be removed using a small set of tweezers. It should be easy to identify the otoliths as they make a distinct noise when touched by the metal tweezers compared to other sections of bone. Removing otoliths from snapper

Monthly prize draw winners

Our monthly winners will all receive a $50 gift voucher and in this edition, we have winners from September to December. Once again thank you to all anglers who donate their fish frames to the program.

September
Our September winner was John Kalverla from the Central Coast, NSW. While fishing with two mates in Newcastle Harbour, he landed this 99 cm Mulloway which he donated to the program where it was aged at 6 years old. With the intention of the trip to help his mate land his first Mulloway, John and another friend ended up landing two good Mulloway leaving his mate fishless.

October
Also fishing in Newcastle Harbor was Steve Hunter. Steve was able to land his first Mulloway fishing with Newcastle Mulloway whisperer David Birt. Similar to John's fish, Steve's fish was also aged at 6 years old, with a length of 94 cm.

November
Our November winner was Travis Hall for a 34.8 cm Tailor caught at Port Stephens. Travis’s tailor was aged two years old and was the smallest of its age we have had donated to the program.
Graph showing length to age relationship for Tailor

December
Our December winner was Greg Gowlland with this impressive Mulloway measuring at 142.5 cm and 22.5 kg captured from Brisbane Water. On this outing, Greg was only able to catch one live bait but it definitely did the trick. Greg's fish was aged at 23 years and was one of our largest Mulloway donated in 2019.

How can you get involved?

Donate your frames

If you're interested in citizen science and are lucky enough to catch a Mulloway, Kingfish, Snapper, Dusky Flathead, Tailor, Black Bream, Spanish or Spotted Mackerel of any legal size, donate your fish frame at any participating drop-off point. Data collected by this program will contribute toward ensuring continued quality recreational fishing opportunities for your favourite species into the future. All anglers that donate frames will receive a certificate with the age of the fish and an image of the fish's otolith.

Join the Keen Anglers or tagging program

If you're an avid angler and would like to join the RAP team we are looking for anglers to join the Keen Angler Diary Program and Mulloway Tagging Program. Please send us an email to find out more.

Monthly prize draws

All fish frame donations made to the RAP program gain one entry into the monthly prize draw for a $50 gift voucher at selected tackle stores.

Buy or Renew your fishing licence

Fishing rules and regulations

Forward

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