Snapper - Tāmure

Snapper are a keystone species in northern NZ, found in inshore waters, rocky reefs, and coastal areas up to 200m deep. They control kina populations, preventing overgrazing of kelp. Born female, many snapper change to male as they mature, with larger snapper developing a hump and producing more eggs. They spawn in warmer waters, with juveniles thriving in mangroves and seagrass beds. Protecting larger snapper is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems, as seen in marine reserves where predator recovery boosts kelp forests