http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf...finfishery.pdf
This is a quote from the above webpage.
Fishery Performance
Appraisal of fishery in regard to sustainability The Reef Management Advisory Committee (MAC) holds significant concerns about the status of the Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery, in particular snapper. DPI&F have recently completed a stock assessment on snapper that indicates fishing mortality is currently too high to ensure longterm sustainability of the fishery. Researchers and modellers agree that the results from the stock assessment may be confounded by hyperstability issues in the snapper fishery, where good catch rates can be maintained regardless of overall declining stock abundance. Fishers
spend more time searching for fish to maintain catch rates, which is not reflected in the logbook information and makes catch rates appear constant. Figure 6 indicates that commercial fishing effort has moved northwards supporting a recent shift to new fishing grounds. This is further
supported by commercial logbook data, fisheries observer information and anecdotal reports from recreational fishers over the last 12 months indicating good catches have been occurring with an increased occurrence of larger individuals.
A recent snapper stock assessment by Allan et al2, which was based on data from all fishing sectors, provided support for the concern expressed to date. An independent review has supported the results of the assessment and confirmed the use of the stochastic stock reduction analysis model. Further data is required to validate some of the assumptions about the age structure
of the snapper population, which was sourced from surveys undertaken between 1993 and 1997 and will ensure greater confidence in future assessments.
There is still some uncertainty surrounding the range of impacts on the stock, particularly in relation to habitat changes and the size of the recreational catch. Results from the 2005 RFISH diary round may help reduce the uncertainty of the recreational catch.
Well worth a read. That took me 2 minutes to find. I'm sure if I searched a little harder the news wouldn't get better!