Red Throat Emperor

Red throat emperor (sweetlip emperor) Lethrinus miniatus. The red throat emperor is a relatively long-lived member of the Lethrinidae family (emperors). They live to approximately 20 years of age and grow to about 60cm fork length.

Commonly found on mid- and outer-shelf reefs between Cairns and the Capricorn Bunker group on the Great Barrier Reef, and even further south in Queensland, the red throat emperor is the second most sought-after species in the Great Barrier Reef reef line fishery.

CRC Reef information on red throat emperor

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Reef fish guide to red throat emperor; Fishnote on red throat emperor

Commercial catch of red throat emperor. Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Red throat emperor in Queensland are almost exclusively caught within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Under the new Coral Reef Fin Fish Management Plan, for 2004 the total commercial catch of red throat emperor is limited to 700 tonnes, approximately equivalent to 1999 catch levels. However, historical data on red throat emperor catch may be underestimated, because it could also be reported in log books as ‘emperors’ or as ‘mixed reef fish’.

There has been no formal assessment of the commercial or recreational red throat emperor fisheries. Recreational trends for catch of red throat emperor are unknown.

Tonnes: 828.6
Boats: 401
Primary boat days: 22,673
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

$4.1 m
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

A total catch of about 900 tonnes of 'sweetlip' were recorded in 1999, of which at least 240 tonnes were estimated to be red throat emperor (Williams 2002).

Along the length of the Great Barrier Reef, with most commercial and recreational effort focused on reefs off the coast between Townsville and Town of 1770.

Commercial fishers use a simple rig of a strong hand line with one or two hooks per line. Recreational fishers use either rods or hand lines. There is also a small amount of recreational spearfishing.

The fishery is regulated under Queensland’s Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery) Management Plan 2003.

Size: A minimum size limit of 38cm applies to red throat emperor.

Take and possession limit: Recreational fishers (and commercial fishers who do not operate under an ‘RQ’ commercial licence from Department of Primary industries and Fisheries DPI&F) are limited to eight red throat emperor. They may not keep live fish, and must remove a pectoral fin from any fish they keep in cool storage. Fish may be filleted as long as the length of the fillet is at least 40cm, and skin and scales are attached to the fillet.

Commercial catch: The total allowable catch for the commercial red throat emperor fishery is capped at 700 tonnes from 2004. Fishers who operate under a commercial ‘RQ’ licence from DPI&F are issued a quota for red throat emperor proportional to their percentage of the total catch between 1994 and 2001.

Area: Coral trout can be taken from tidal waters except in no-take zones as specified by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and waters closed to fishing by DPI&F.

CRC Reef researchers are investigating the spatial pattern of red throat emperor populations. This research will help to ensure that management strategies are effective for populations of red throat emperor across the Great barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The Effects of Line Fishing Experiment conducted by CRC Reef researchers is monitoring fish stocks on a few reefs in the Great Barrier Reef to assess the changes to fish stocks under varying amounts of fishing pressure. Information from this experiment is being used in a computer model which simulates the effects of different fisheries management strategies on areas in the Great Barrier Reef, and is used as a tool for decision-makers.

CRC Reef and DPI&F are also working together on the National Strategy for the Survival Of Released Line Caught Fish.

Williams LE. (ed). 2002. Queensland's Fisheries Resources. Current condition and trends 1988-2000. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Last updated August 9, 2005