Freshwater and marine fisheries management survey
The Queensland Government is currently considering a range of proposed fisheries management reforms in response to stakeholder and industry requests for more responsive and effective fisheries management, while ensuring the ongoing sustainability of Queensland’s freshwater and marine fisheries.
The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes.
To ensure the submission reflected the views of the broader recreational fishing and tackle industry, AFTA sought input from members and industry stakeholders across a range of sectors. Drawing on that feedback, AFTA prepared the following submission, supporting measures that enhance fishing opportunities where sustainability can be maintained, while opposing proposals that impose unnecessary restrictions without clear scientific justification.
AFTA’s submission is guided by several key principles:
- Fisheries management should be evidence-based and supported by robust scientific information.
- Recreational fishing access and participation should be maintained wherever possible.
- Regulatory changes should be practical, proportionate and easily understood by fishers.
- Conservation measures should focus on delivering measurable fisheries outcomes.
- The significant social, economic and community benefits generated by recreational fishing should be recognised in all management decisions.
The following responses represent AFTA’s position on the proposed freshwater, inshore and marine fisheries management reforms currently under consideration by Fisheries Queensland.
Question 3:
Do you support increasing the silver perch possession limit from 2 to 5 in stocked impoundments?
Response: Yes
Comments:
AFTA supports increasing the silver perch possession limit from two to five fish in stocked impoundments, provided that stocking programs are adequately expanded to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
Any increase in possession limits should be accompanied by a corresponding increase in restocking efforts to maintain healthy fish populations, protect fishing opportunities, and safeguard the substantial social, recreational and economic benefits generated by stocked impoundment fisheries.
AFTA believes that fisheries management settings should balance improved angler access with responsible stock management and ongoing investment in habitat enhancement and restocking programs.
Question 4:
Which of the following dams should be added to the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme? (Please select all that apply)
Response: Ross River Dam & Atkinson Dam added
Comments:
AFTA supports the inclusion of both Ross River Dam and Atkinson Dam in the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme.
Expanding the Scheme to these impoundments will increase recreational fishing access and participation opportunities while providing a dedicated funding mechanism to support ongoing fisheries management, stocking programs and infrastructure improvements.
The inclusion of additional dams will help ensure more Queensland anglers can access well-managed stocked fisheries, generating recreational, social and economic benefits for local communities and regional businesses. Revenue generated through the Permit Scheme should continue to be directed towards fish stocking, habitat enhancement and other initiatives that improve the quality and sustainability of recreational fishing opportunities.
AFTA believes the addition of Ross River Dam and Atkinson Dam represents a positive step towards increasing participation in recreational fishing while supporting the long-term sustainability of these fisheries.
Question 5:
Do you support administrative updates to allow the take of one Mary River cod in Woodford Weir in line with other SIPS impoundments, and amend the existing seasonal closed waters for the Stanley River to exclude Woodford Weir?
Response: Yes
Comments:
AFTA supports these proposed administrative amendments to align the management arrangements for Woodford Weir with those applying to other Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) impoundments.
Allowing the take of one Mary River cod in Woodford Weir and amending the seasonal closed waters provisions to exclude the impoundment will provide regulatory consistency, reduce confusion for recreational fishers, and simplify compliance requirements.
Provided that fisheries managers remain satisfied that stock sustainability and conservation objectives are maintained, AFTA supports measures that improve clarity and consistency across Queensland’s stocked impoundment fisheries while enhancing recreational fishing opportunities.
Question 6:
Do you support improving protection for Cooper Creek catfish by prohibiting the take and possession of this species?
Response: Yes
Comments:
AFTA supports improving protection for Cooper Creek catfish through a prohibition on the take and possession of the species, provided the measure is limited to harvest restrictions and does not result in broader access limitations for recreational fishers.
AFTA considers that recreational catch-and-release fishing can continue to provide valuable recreational opportunities while supporting conservation outcomes for the species. Any management arrangements should clearly distinguish between the retention of fish and responsible catch-and-release practices.
AFTA does not support additional restrictions that would unnecessarily limit recreational fishing access or prevent anglers from targeting Cooper Creek catfish for catch-and-release purposes, where this activity can occur without adversely impacting the species’ conservation status. Management measures should be proportionate, evidence-based and focused on achieving genuine conservation outcomes while maintaining recreational fishing opportunities.
Question 7:
Do you support improving protection for Mary River cod by extending existing seasonal line fishing closures between 1 August and 31 October to also apply in the following waters (note: the closure does not apply in stocked impoundments):
Brisbane River – all waters upstream of the Mt Crosby Weir, including tributaries, extending to the upper catchment including Stanley River, Cressbrook Creek, East Arm, Cooyar Creek and Emu Creek etc. (excluding Wivenhoe, Somerset, Cressbrook, Dyer and Manchester stocked dams)
Bremer River – all waters upstream of the Sadlier’s Crossing railway bridge, including all tributaries (Warrill Creek and Reynolds Creek – excluding Moogerah Dam)
Bundamba Creek – all waters upstream of junction of Bremer River and Bundamba Creek.
Response: No
Comments:
AFTA does not support extending the existing seasonal line fishing closures to additional waterways within the Brisbane River, Bremer River and Bundamba Creek catchments.
While AFTA supports the conservation and long-term sustainability of Mary River cod populations, any expansion of fishing closures must be supported by clear scientific evidence demonstrating that the additional restrictions are necessary and will deliver measurable conservation outcomes.
AFTA is concerned that extending seasonal closures will further reduce recreational fishing access without sufficient justification and may unnecessarily impact anglers who already operate under a range of existing fisheries management controls. Recreational fishers have consistently demonstrated their willingness to support targeted conservation measures where they are evidence-based, proportionate and clearly linked to improved fisheries outcomes.
AFTA believes that fisheries management should focus on practical, targeted measures that protect fish stocks while maintaining reasonable public access to recreational fishing opportunities. Before expanding seasonal closures, Fisheries Queensland should provide transparent scientific evidence, undertake meaningful stakeholder consultation and demonstrate why existing management arrangements are inadequate.
AFTA therefore does not support the proposed extension of seasonal closures in the absence of a clearly demonstrated conservation need and a robust evidence base supporting the additional restrictions.
Question 8:
Do you support Fisheries Queensland working with New South Wales Fisheries to harmonise and standardise fishing rules for Murray cod in the northern Murray–Darling Basin?
Response: Unsure
Comments:
AFTA considers that insufficient information and supporting scientific evidence have been provided to enable an informed assessment of the proposed harmonisation of Murray cod fishing regulations between Queensland and New South Wales.
AFTA recognises that Queensland and New South Wales share sections of the same river systems, just as New South Wales and Victoria share interconnected waterways within the Murray–Darling Basin. Consequently, management arrangements should seek to balance ecological outcomes with practical and consistent fishing regulations across jurisdictions.
While regulatory consistency can provide benefits for recreational fishers, improve compliance and reduce confusion, any harmonisation proposal should be supported by clear biological, social and economic evidence and be subject to meaningful stakeholder consultation.
If harmonisation is to be pursued, AFTA believes consideration should extend beyond Queensland and New South Wales to include all jurisdictions with responsibility for the Murray–Darling Basin. A coordinated basin-wide approach would provide greater consistency for recreational fishers and ensure management arrangements reflect the interconnected nature of the entire Murray–Darling Basin system rather than focusing on individual state boundaries.
AFTA therefore remains unable to support or oppose the proposal at this stage and seeks further information regarding the scientific rationale, management objectives, anticipated benefits and potential impacts of any harmonised Murray cod regulations before forming a definitive position.
Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery
Question 9:
Do you support extending the tropical rock lobster fishing season by one month (i.e. change the closure start date from 1 October to 1 November) for all sectors?
Response: Yes
Comments:
AFTA supports extending the Tropical Rock Lobster fishing season by one month, provided ongoing stock assessments and independent peer-reviewed scientific evaluations continue to demonstrate that the fishery remains biologically sustainable.
Extending the season has the potential to increase recreational and commercial fishing opportunities, support regional economies and improve access for participants, provided these benefits are not achieved at the expense of long-term stock health.
AFTA believes that fisheries management decisions should be firmly grounded in robust scientific evidence, regular stock monitoring and adaptive management frameworks. Any extension of the season should be subject to ongoing review, with management arrangements amended if future stock assessments indicate a decline in the sustainability of the fishery.
AFTA therefore supports the proposal on the basis that the sustainability of the Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery continues to be independently verified through regular stock assessments and peer-reviewed scientific advice.
Black Jewfish Fishery
- Introduce a spawning closure for all fishing sectors.
- Increase recreational possession and boat limits.
- Improve the viability of commercial fishing operations.
Question 10:
Do you support the introduction of an annual spawning closure between 1 November and 31 January for east coast black jewfish?
Response: No (please explain why in comments below)
Comments:
AFTA does not support the introduction of an annual spawning closure for east coast black jewfish between 1 November and 31 January.
The proposed closure period coincides with peak summer holiday and tourism seasons, and would have a significant impact on recreational fishing participation, regional tourism, fishing-related businesses and coastal communities that benefit from seasonal fishing activity.
AFTA notes that there is currently no spawning closure in place for east coast black jewfish and has not been presented with sufficient evidence demonstrating that the introduction of a three-month closure is necessary to achieve the desired fisheries management outcomes. Any proposal that restricts access to recreational fishing opportunities should be supported by robust scientific evidence, transparent stock assessments and a clear demonstration that existing management arrangements are inadequate.
AFTA believes fisheries management measures should be proportionate, evidence-based and developed in consultation with stakeholders to ensure conservation objectives are achieved without imposing unnecessary restrictions on recreational fishers.
Question 11:
If a spawning closure is introduced, do you support increasing the east coast black jewfish recreational possession and boat limits to 2 fish per person and 4 fish per boat (with 2 or more people on board)?
Response: No (please explain why in comments below)Comments:
As AFTA does not support the proposed spawning closure, it does not support increasing the recreational possession and boat limits as a compensatory measure.
AFTA considers the existing possession limit of one fish per person and a maximum of two fish per boat to be appropriate and sustainable, particularly given the large size, popularity and value of black jewfish as a recreational fishing species.
AFTA also notes that the previous closure of the east coast black jewfish recreational fishery occurred after the commercial sector reached its Total Allowable Catch (TAC), resulting in the closure of the entire fishery. This outcome highlighted the need for clear separation between commercial and recreational harvest management arrangements.
AFTA believes that once established, recreational and commercial TACs should operate independently to ensure one sector is not unfairly penalised due to the performance or catch levels of another sector. Maintaining sector-specific accountability promotes fairness, transparency and confidence in fisheries management.
In the absence of compelling scientific evidence demonstrating that higher possession limits are warranted, AFTA believes the current recreational limits should be retained.
Question 12:
Do you support introducing trunking of east coast black jewfish as a new form requirement (with a minimum size limit of 57 cm) for the commercial sector?
Response: No (please explain why in comments below)
Comments:
AFTA does not support introducing trunking of east coast black jewfish as a standard form requirement for the commercial sector where it creates different compliance and identification standards from those that apply to recreational fishers.
For compliance, monitoring and species identification purposes, AFTA believes fish should generally remain whole, consistent with requirements applying to the recreational sector.
However, AFTA recognises the operational requirements of commercial fishing businesses and the importance of maintaining seafood quality. Accordingly, regulations should permit fish to be gilled and gutted to preserve product quality and reduce spoilage, provided sufficient identifying characteristics remain intact to support effective compliance and enforcement activities.
AFTA supports management arrangements that balance compliance integrity, seafood quality and consistency across fishing sectors.
Crab Fishery
- Require the use of shark excluder devices on crab pots in Port Musgrave.
Question 13:
Do you support introducing the use of shark excluder devices on crab pots in all waters upstream of the mouth of Port Musgrave, including the Ducie and Wenlock rivers?
Response: Yes
Comments:
AFTA supports the introduction of shark excluder devices on crab pots in all waters upstream of the mouth of Port Musgrave, including the Ducie and Wenlock Rivers, provided the devices are practical, cost-effective and do not adversely impact legitimate crab fishing operations.
AFTA supports responsible and evidence-based measures that reduce unintended bycatch and improve environmental outcomes while maintaining access to sustainable recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.
Where shark interactions with crab pots have been identified as a fisheries management issue, the use of appropriately designed excluder devices has the potential to reduce unintended captures and improve animal welfare outcomes without compromising the effectiveness of crab fishing activities.
AFTA encourages Fisheries Queensland to continue monitoring the effectiveness of the devices and to work closely with stakeholders to ensure implementation requirements are practical, proportionate and supported by industry and recreational fishers.
for more details and the survey please see: https://dpi.engagementhub.com.au/freshwater-marine-fisheries-management