Draft policy for seasonal closure exemptions for catadromous fish

Thankyou for your feedback on the draft policy for the management of seasonal closures for catadromous fish (fish that move to the sea to spawn). Please read the draft policy in the document library on the right for further information. The draft policy has been reviewed by the Freshwater Fisheries Working Group and seeks to formalise and continue existing policy and practice while providing a process for reviewing the status of exemptions and addition of new waterways.

Why do we have seasonal closures?

Seasonal closures for migratory fish are important to maintain their wild stocks during their critical movement and spawning window, and this is particularly the case for catadromous species. Development of waterways over the past 200 years have left a series of disconnected river segments which prevent catadromous fish from completing their lifecycles. In more recent times, improvements in waterway barrier construction and the use of fishways have greatly enhanced the ability of fish to traverse barriers.

The species most affected by seasonal closures is barramundi which are particularly vulnerable to fishing during their spawning run and can have their spawning cycle disrupted if they are caught during the lead-up to a spawning event.

Are any waterways exempt from seasonal closures?

Several impoundments and river systems are exempt from the seasonal closures under section 22 (2) of the Fisheries Declaration 2019 and are known as prescribed barramundi waterways. River systems in Queensland that are exempt from closed seasons generally have limited or no bi-directional connectivity for fish populations to the estuarine waters. Since migration is not possible and spawning cannot occur for catadromous species, these waterbodies are often stocked for recreational fishing. Exemptions from closures for such river systems do not impact wild populations. Historically no closed seasons have been made exempt where there is an operational fishway that allows movement into spawning areas for barramundi.

Where migration is not possible, allowing fishing in these stocked waterways during seasonal closures provides a sustainable alternative to wild fisheries, which may improve compliance outcomes and offer economic and social benefits for regional communities.