New Fishing Regulations Affect Marine Species

7 February, 2003

New recreational fishing rules for the State’s marine fishery are now in place affecting a range of marine species including spotted mackerel and rock lobster.

The Department of Primary Industries implemented the new regulations just prior to Christmas creating new size and take and possession limits and seasonal closures for certain species.

Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) senior policy officer Mark Lightowler said the new regulations would help to sustain the State’s valuable marine fish stocks.

Mr Lightowler said smart management practices ensured there would be fish for people to catch now and well into the future.

“During the past four and a half years, wide ranging reforms have been introduced to alleviate pressure on fish stocks and protect Queensland’s reputation as a top fishing spot and quality seafood producer,” he said.

“The new management changes affect a range of recreational fish species such as spotted mackerel, flathead, rock lobster and snapper, making sure the levels of these popular species remain stable for many years to come.”

However, Mr Lightowler said no decisions had been made in relation to proposed management changes for the State’s coral reef fishery affecting species such as coral trout, potato cod and Maori wrasse.

He said although the public consultation period had closed in December last year, no definite decisions had been made.

“I should stress they are only proposed changes. At this stage nothing has been decided and the current fishing regulations for the coral reef species still apply,” he said.

“A public announcement and a comprehensive media campaign will be carried out when a decision is made to make sure people are aware of the new regulations for the coral reef species.”

The key points of the new marine recreational fishing regulations include:

Spotted mackerel

• Take and possession limit of five.
• Minimum size limit of 60cm.

Flathead

• Take and possession limit of five.
• Minimum size limit of 40cm.
• Maximum size limit of 70cm.

Snapper

• Take and possession limit of five.
• Minimum size limit of 35cm.

Rock lobster

• A seasonal closure banning commercial and recreational fishing for crayfish and rock lobster from October to January the following year in an area 14 degrees south to the northern most tip of Cape York;
• Protecting egg bearing and tar spot for female crayfish and rock lobsters;
• New size limits of 115mm tail and 90mm carapace lengths for painted crayfish;
• Introducing recreational take and possession limits of three crayfish or rock lobsters (all species) per person and six per boat for all Queensland waters north of the commercial fishery area (outside the seasonal closure period); and five crayfish or rock lobsters (all species) per person and 10 per boat south of the commercial fishery area to the Queensland / NSW border.

For more information about the new marine fishing regulations contact the local Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol Office, visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or phone the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.

Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Ph 07 3239 6380
DPI Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)


Further information: Mark Lightowler (07) 3225 1897
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

More Press Releases here: