Why are estuaries such good nurseries for snapper, kahawai and parori?
Estuaries are very important places for snappers because they are places where their young are safe and protected. Young snapper like to live in places where there is lots of food and lots of protection from predators. Horse mussels and soft corals provide great habitats for young snapper and other fish. This is why the juveniles thrive in places like estuaries harbours and bays. Snapper particularly flourish in coastal places with seagrass meadows, horse mussel beds, kelp forests and sponge gardens. Kahawai and parori also take advantage of the shallow, protective waters of the estuaries to keep them safe while they are young and unable to fend for themselves.