Recreational fishing is part of Queensland’s way of life. It provides immense socio-economic benefit to the State and is worth more than $2.5 billion annually to the economy.
Fisheries Queensland is aware that the fisheries working groups and several fishing sectors have noted the increasing fishing capacity of the recreational fishing sector.
The recent consultation sought feedback on reform options to identify suitable, sustainable management controls that can support expanding recreational fishing capacity, focusing on increased sector responsibility, and ensure the ongoing sustainability of Queensland’s fisheries and non-target species, including:
1. Recreational fishing gear change
a. banning opera house style traps
b. banning lightweight crab pots, and new minimum gear specifications
2. size and possession limit changes, and new closed season
a. separating possession limits for crimson and saddletail snapper and other considerations
b. new black jewfish closed season
c. increasing possession limits for black jewfish
3. expanding the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme
4. banning recreational take of coral.
The consultation report is now available in the document library.