Snappers, Bogas, and Emporers Snappers, Bogas, and Emporers Hawaii has only four true snappers at normal diving depths, two of which were introduced from French Polynesia in the 1950's. An additional seven deepwater snappers are illustrated here in addition to a snapper-like relative of the Boga family. The Bigeye Emporer is a deep-bodied snapper relative that is frequently seen over coral reefs.
Snappers are excellent food fishes and important to local fisheries.
Deepwater snapper stocks have been threatened by overfishing and competition with the now-abundant Bluestripe Snapper. These species may be seen by scuba divers around the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Photos of these deepwater snappers were taken by supporting the fish on one side with a pole spear anchored in the reef. Mahalo to Guy at Tamashiro Market for finding the finest quality specimens for my Hawaii Fisherman's Almanac project. They are quite rare in local catches and the flesh is soft.