The biomass of tropical red snapper in northern Australian waters has been estimated at 24,000t. A conservative management trigger point has set annual harvest levels at 2,400t. Current catches are well below this level. The majority of red snapper is caught by trawl, but there is also a potential to target them in trap and dropline fisheries.

Tough fish from these fisheries are identified on occasion at the point of cooking. Currently it is not possible to identify this syndrome at the point of capture or wholesale. There is an urgent need to identify the cause of TFS to minimise impact of the syndrome on the value of the resource and enable appropriate handling methods to be implemented where applicable.

TFS is causing a huge loss of revenue from the reef fish fishery due to strong negative reaction from the end-supply chain sectors with this phenomenon reducing the overall value of this, and other species in the fishery. The magnitude of such losses was made apparent recently when one of Australia’s largest retailers cancelled a very large supply contract from a major fishery operator. Another major stakeholder in the fishery has had export orders rescinded.

Industry believes that if TFS in red snapper could be managed the current price of around $4.50/kg could be increased up to $8.00/kg, in line with other tropical snappers. This would lead to an estimated additional $3.0 M/year revenue from this species under current catch levels. If the value of this species increased, there is potential to significantly increase sustainable catch levels and subsequent return to the community.

Data obtained from field trips as part of the current project (FRDC 2008/208) indicate the development of TFS may not be due to inappropriate onboard handling practices. Textural issues appear to be due to a combination of biological, geographical and seasonal factors. Results from the current research suggest a significant influence of both sex and season on the toughness observed in Saddletail Snapper. Current findings do not discount potential compounding influences such as ‘cold shock’ for example. Collagen content and ultimate pH of Saddletail Snapper muscle also represent significant influences of measured toughness. However, these factors alone do not provide a definitive explanation for the toughness observed in the species.

Results to date are provisional only. Further investigation across multiple seasons is required to substantiate or refute observed trends and preliminary statistical correlations. The potential influence of ‘cold-shock’ also needs to be clarified. The limited timeframe of FRDC project 2008/208 will not provide this clarity.

This project is needed to obtain the additional seasonal data to provide a definitive information base which will enable the development of strategies for the management of TFS. This will enable stakeholders to market their product with confidence, achieve an increase in price commensurate with premium quality reef fish and ensure the ongoing sustainable use of the resource.

The resolution of the problem or the adoption of management strategies to minimise the occurrence of TFS will have positive spin offs in all sectors of the supply chain i.e. catcher, buyer, exporter, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, restaurateur, and home consumer.

This proposed project addresses the focus of increasing profitability and optimum utilisation of fish identified by the NT, Qld and WA within their respective current fisheries research and development priority documents.

On 11 November 2008 the NT put in place laws , by way of licence condition, under the Fisheries Act that require fish retailers serving imported seafood for public consumption to state if the product is imported.

The conditions apply to menus in hotels, restaurants and cafes as well as takeaways. These fish labeling laws are considered, by Industry, to be extremely beneficial in assisting consumers in making informed seafood choices.

The NT is the first Australian jurisdiction to implement such laws. Seafood labeling laws in other jurisdictions cease at the back door of food outlets, leaving consumers unable, in many instances, to determine if the seafood in their meals is harvested in Australia or if it is imported.

The fish retailer seafood labeling laws will have been in place for a year when this project will commence. The NTSC feels it is important to identify what impact the labeling measures are having along the supply chain (i.e. from harvest to the consumer).

There is a significant need to understand whether the seafood labeling laws have lead to changes in seafood purchasing behaviour.

Of particular interest is quantifying whether there has been a negative impact which may have lead to decreased seafood consumption in general or a switch away from local product by either consumers or retailers.

This information will assist the NT seafood industry and NT Government (NTG) to assess the impacts of the current labeling laws.