Recreational fishing in Queensland consultation

Fisheries Queensland is seeking your feedback on fishery reform options for recreational fishing in Queensland.

Recreational fishing is part of Queensland’s way of life. It provides immense socio-economic benefits 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 discussion paper can be downloaded from the Document Library on the right of this page and outlines management issues and 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.

The management reforms for consideration are:

1. recreational fishing gear changes
   1. banning opera house style traps
   2. banning lightweight crab pots, and new minimum gear specifications
2. size and possession limit changes, and new closed season
   1. separating possession limits for crimson and saddletail snapper and other considerations
   2. new black jewfish closed season
   3. increasing possession limits for black jewfish
3. expanding the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme
4. banning recreational take of coral.

While these proposed reforms are intended to address management issues in the recreational sector, some of the proposals (e.g. black jewfish) may also have implications for the commercial sector.

Have Your Say

Fisheries Queensland is seeking feedback from fishers and other sectors in the community on management reform options presented in this discussion paper. Feedback on this discussion paper will be used to guide future management strategies to ensure the sustainable management of our fisheries.

Different management reform options will have different impacts on sectors (e.g. recreational fishers, commercial fishers, tackle retailers and environmental organisations). Therefore, it is important to understand the preferences of people who have an interest in the affected fisheries..

The fastest and easiest way to provide your feedback is to complete the online survey below.

You can also provide feedback though the online Submission form on the right of this page, email or print the survey questions at the end of the discussion paper and post your submission to:

Recreational fishing discussion paper
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
GPO Box 46
Brisbane Qld 4001

Answers to these questions will be used to help develop options for fisheries management action and provide an insight into the preferences of all stakeholders.

Submissions close 5 pm, 9 May 2024.

Recreational fishing in Queensland survey

We recommend registering on this eHub site so you can save your answers as you complete the survey, so that you don’t lose them if your computer times out.

Your say matters and we want to hear from you about which management measures you prefer. The questions with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is collecting the information on this form to inform future management of Queensland’s fisheries under the Fisheries Act 1994 and subordinate legislation.

This information is being collected for the purpose of obtaining feedback on proposed changes to management actions. Your personal information will not be disclosed to any other parties unless authorised or required by law.