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General News

17 July, 2022

Further feedback sought on rebuild of Spanish mackerel fishery

FEEDBACK on reducing recreational and commercial catch limits; and introducing closed seasons to protect spawning fish and reduce fishing pressure continues to be invited by the Queensland government as part of plans to rebuild Spanish mackerel stocks.


Further feedback sought on rebuild of Spanish mackerel fishery - feature photo

Improving public data by requiring recreational fishers to report their Spanish mackerel catch, is also a measure that might be taken in future. 

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said Queensland’s Spanish mackerel fishery will not face a years-long total closure, as part of efforts to rebuild stocks that have fallen to 17 per cent of original levels. 

A complete closure of the fishery has been ruled out because of the impact it would have on fishers, jobs and communities. 

“Initial consultation resulted in more than 1400 submissions, mostly from recreational fishers, and the key message from this consultation is that the community wants action taken to rebuild these stocks for the future,” Mr Furner said. 

“At the request of the commercial fishing industry, we held direct meetings with commercial fishers and charter fishing operators who are most likely to be affected by future management changes to rebuild this fishery.” 

Consultation also occurred with representatives of the recreational sector and fishing tackle industry. 

Mr Furner said the Queensland Government is now seeking final feedback from recreational and commercial fishers on options for rebuilding our Spanish mackerel stocks. 

Submissions can be made at: https://bit.ly/3ywBaOo. Consultation is open until Friday August 5. 

Mr Furner asked stakeholders to consider the options carefully and identify which would work best for their circumstances. 

A final decision and announcement on management actions will be made following this next consultation period, with management actions expected to be implemented from October. 

“Spanish mackerel stocks are historically low, and if we don’t take steps to rebuild their stocks it could be the end of this important fishery,” Mr Furner said. 

“No decision has been made but doing nothing is not an option,” he said.

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