New Fishing Regulations From December 13
5 November 2003

New recreational and commercial fishing rules will come into force in Queensland from December 13 for coral reef fish as well as a range of other fish species.

The new rules are the result of extensive consultation between the Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS), industry groups, stakeholders and the community.

QFS general manager Jim Gillespie said the regulations marked an important step forward in sustaining the State’s fisheries resources.

“During the past few years major initiatives have been introduced to a number of fisheries and Queensland can now claim some of the most progressive fisheries reforms in Australia,” he said.

Mr Gillespie said the long-term benefit of sustainable fisheries resources was critical for the Queensland community.

“The restructure of the Coral Reef Fin Fish and the East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fisheries includes a range of new size limits, take and possession limits and other regulations which will help to protect Queensland’s iconic fish species,” he said.

Major changes to recreational fishing regulations which come into effect from December 13 include:

• Seven fish including humphead Maori wrasse, barramundi cod, potato cod, Queensland groper, red bass, Chinaman fish, and paddletail are now no take species.
  
  
• A combined total take and possession limit of 20 coral reef fish is now in place. However, within this combined limit anglers must comply with individual take and possession limits for various fish species.
  
  
• Minimum and in some cases maximum size limits have been introduced for most coral reef species.
  
  
• Updated restrictions on fishing gear and on filleting fish at sea accompany the new size limits. All recreational and commercial fishers without a reef fish catch quota must mark their fish as not for sale by removing a section of the pectoral fin
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• The take and possession limit for Spanish mackerel has dropped from 10 to three.
  

For more information about the new fishing regulations, contact the local Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol office or visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

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: Jim Gillespie (07) 3225 1839
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

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