In 2023, the Australian and Queensland governments committed to phasing out gillnets in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area by 2027.

As a result of this decision, changes to net fishing regulations took effect on 1 January 2024, including the introduction of commercial netting of barramundi between Tin Can Bay and the New South Wales border.

The Queensland Government recently reviewed the commercial harvest of barramundi using nets in this south-east Queensland area – the discussion paper on the review is available in the ‘Document library’.

Public consultation closed 31 January 2026.