Effective fisheries and coastal ecosystem management necessitate understanding the large-scale movements of fish species. Traditional analytical techniques do not usually provide high-resolution information from continuous movement profiles. In this study, we applied time series analysis techniques - Behavioural Change Point Analysis (BCPA) and Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) - to otolith element profiles of New Zealand snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) collected from archaeological, 20th century, and contemporary specimens. Our innovative methodology helped uncover significant differences in snapper movement patterns pre- and post-industrial times and draw inferences about residency, migration, and coastal habitat clustering. We identified distinct cluster groups mainly characterized by samples from different periods. As a result, we gained key insights into the long-term impacts of anthropogenic environmental changes on snapper movements and habitat use. Our research integrates time series analyses with movement analysis, proposing a novel ecological indicator for ecosystem health assessment and conservation. The results underscore the importance of understanding habitat use and fish population resilience amidst anthropogenic disturbances and environmental changes.