Submission to the Queensland Department of Primary Industries
Proposed Amendments to Commercial Netting of Barramundi in Southeast Queensland (Region 5)
Submitted by the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA)
The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission in response to the Department of Primary Industries’ consultation on proposed changes to commercial netting regulations for barramundi in southeast Queensland (south of Tin Can Bay). AFTA strongly supports reinstating the pre‑January 2024 management arrangements and urges the Department to act promptly to prevent further ecological risk, stakeholder uncertainty, and erosion of public confidence.
- AFTA’s Position on Barramundi Netting in Region 5
AFTA submits the following recommendations as essential to restoring sustainable, evidence‑based management in Region 5:
- Reinstate barramundi as a species that cannot be targeted or retained by gill nets in Region 5.
- Implement an immediate decision—or alternatively, a temporary suspension of commercial harvest—until amended regulations formally commence, to prevent opportunistic exploitation during the regulatory gap.
- Review the King Threadfin quota for Region 5, noting that current settings rely on historical peak catch data and do not reflect the species’ highly variable recruitment patterns in southern Queensland.
- Remove gill nets from Region 5 entirely, aligning the region with management arrangements across the broader east coast and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
- Prioritise stock abundance and long‑term sustainability in accordance with the Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy.
Tagging data collected by AFTA members shows that threadfin salmon recruitment in this region is strongly linked to wet‑season conditions, resulting in intermittent and unpredictable year‑class strength. Similarly, fisheries scientists advise that barramundi in southeast Queensland are unlikely to be part of a self‑sustaining spawning population, despite the presence of catchable‑sized fish. These factors highlight the vulnerability of localised populations and the heightened risk of depletion—an issue that has repeatedly triggered community concern.
The current Total Allowable Catch (TAC) settings for Region 5 rely on recruitment data from other regions, not from the region in question. This represents a significant scientific limitation and undermines the reliability of the management framework.
- Alignment with Government Review Findings
AFTA supports the Government’s proposal to reverse the former administration’s January 2024 decision to expand commercial gillnetting for barramundi into new areas of southeast Queensland. The Department’s internal review has confirmed that:
- The expansion lacked a scientific basis regarding stock sustainability.
- No stock assessment exists for barramundi south of Tin Can Bay.
- No public consultation occurred prior to the decision.
Such departures from evidence‑based management undermine stakeholder trust and jeopardise the long‑term viability of Queensland’s fisheries resources. AFTA commends the current Government for recognising these deficiencies and taking steps to correct them.
- Ecological Risks and Bycatch Concerns
Gillnetting is widely recognised as a non‑selective fishing method with substantial ecological impacts. AFTA holds serious concerns regarding the bycatch of threatened, endangered, and protected (TEP) species, including:
- Dugongs, which drown rapidly when entangled.
- Sawfish species (narrow, dwarf, largetooth, speartooth), all of which are experiencing severe population declines.
- Dolphins, including snubfin and humpback inshore populations, as well as turtles and other marine fauna.
Reports of multiple protected species entangled in single nets underscore the inherent risks of gillnetting. These impacts are particularly concerning in sensitive estuarine systems such as the Logan and Albert Rivers, where community concerns about declining fish numbers and increased netting activity are well documented.
- Current Harvest and Management Framework
Barramundi harvest is regulated through size limits, gear restrictions, closed seasons, recreational possession limits, and region‑specific Prescribed Commercial Catch limits.
Recent harvest data show:
- Total east coast commercial barramundi harvest:
- 105 tonnes in 2025
- 63 tonnes in 2024
- Region 5 commercial harvest:
- 8 tonnes in 2025
- 9 tonnes in 2024
Prior to the 2024 rule change, barramundi taken incidentally in nets from Tin Can Bay to the NSW border could not be retained. Recreational harvest in southeast Queensland remains very low, as reflected in survey data and voluntary reporting through the Qld Fishing 2.0 app.
- Scientific Uncertainty and Stock Status South of Tin Can Bay
The scientific evidence base for barramundi in Region 5 is extremely limited:
- Barramundi comprise seven genetic stocks across Queensland, but no stock assessment exists for the population south of Tin Can Bay.
- TAC settings rely on recruitment data from other regions, not Region 5.
- There is insufficient data to estimate biomass or determine sustainable harvest levels.
- Juvenile barramundi are rarely detected in local waterways, raising questions about whether the population is self‑sustaining.
- Recruitment, growth, and survival are strongly influenced by environmental factors, particularly river flow.
Given these uncertainties, the precautionary principle must apply. Continuing commercial harvest without a robust evidence base risks irreversible stock depletion.
- Economic and Community Considerations
Gillnetting for barramundi in Region 5 delivers a poor “Best Value Proposition per kilogram of fish” when broader economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors are considered.
Recreational fishing, charter tourism, and associated industries contribute substantially more to the regional economy through:
- Employment
- Visitor expenditure
- Retail and service activity
- Community engagement and lifestyle benefits
The environmental externalities of gillnetting—particularly bycatch of protected species and potential long‑term stock impacts—further diminish its net value. In contrast, sustainable recreational access supports ongoing economic activity without imposing comparable ecological risks.
- Acknowledgement of Government Leadership
AFTA commends The Honourable Tony Perrett, Minister for Primary Industries, for initiating the departmental review and progressing these proposed regulatory changes. His commitment to science‑based decision‑making and genuine stakeholder engagement represents a significant step toward restoring confidence in Queensland’s fisheries management framework.
The Crisafulli Government’s commitment to reinstating pre‑1 January 2024 rules until sustainable catch levels can be scientifically established reflects a responsible, forward‑looking approach that will protect fisheries resources for future generations.
- Conclusion and Recommendations
AFTA respectfully urges the Department to:
- Reinstate the prohibition on targeting barramundi with gill nets in Region 5.
- Suspend commercial harvest until amended regulations take effect, preventing opportunistic exploitation.
- Review the King Threadfin quota to reflect contemporary recruitment patterns.
- Remove gill nets from Region 5 entirely, aligning with management across the east coast and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
- Prioritise evidence‑based, precautionary management in the absence of robust stock assessments.
These actions will support ecological sustainability, meet community expectations, and maximise the economic value delivered by the recreational fishing sector.
Submitted on behalf of the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA).
AFTA appreciates the opportunity to contribute to this consultation, closing 31 January 2026.