Spatial variation in population dynamics of red throat emperor (E2.4.21S)

Task leader: Mr Ashley Williams, CRC Reef and James Cook University

Task associate: Mr Russell Martin, Great Barrier Reef Marine PArk Authority .

The red-throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) is one of the most important species in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) line fishery. Although there is some information about the biology of red-throat emperor, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge. It is known that red-throat emperor live to around 20 years of age and change sex from females to males when they are around 6 years of age. However the juvenile habitat of red-throat emperor has yet to be identified. The objective of this research is to increase the biological knowledge of red-throat emperor and in particular to examine patterns in age, growth, survivorship, and reproductive biology in different regions of the GBR. Results to date suggest that the spawning season for red-throat emperor, which occurs during the winter-early spring period, appears to be consistent among regions of the GBR. However populations of red-throat emperor in distinct regions of the GBR exhibit different age, growth and annual survivorship characteristics. This spatial pattern in population characteristics suggests that regionally specific management strategies need to be considered for red-throat emperor on the GBR.