Three new stocked dams proposed as fishing rules updated

Three more Queensland dams have been nominated to become stocked freshwater fishing destinations as part of Fisheries reforms now open for public feedback.

Paradise Dam and Mount Morgan No. 7 Dam in Central Queensland and Enoggera Reservoir in Southeast Queensland have been earmarked to potentially join the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS), with fingerlings released annually into the system and anglers buying fishing permits to support restocking.

Fisheries Queensland Executive Director Dallas D’Silva said Queensland’s 63 SIPS throughout the state are popular places for recreation that have boosted economies, local businesses and the social fabric of our regional communities.

“Recreational fishing in the state generates $2.5 billion a year and much of this economic benefit is across our regions,” Mr D’Silva said.

“Potentially adding three more dams to the scheme will give Queenslanders more opportunities to wet a line in the great outdoors.”

Fisheries Queensland is also seeking public feedback on proposals including:

· Changes to possession limits for crimson and saddletail snapper and black jewfish, including a proposed black jewfish spawning closure;

· The phasing out of Opera House traps to protect air-breathing animals such as platypus and turtles, as has been done in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia recently, and lightweight crab pots to reduce their impacts on “ghost fishing”, where they are abandoned or lost in tidal currents and become traps of other marine wildlife, including turtles; and

· Prohibiting the recreational take of coral in Queensland waters.

Feedback is also sought for fishery management reforms proposed by parts of the commercial C1 crab fishery on the east coast and in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

With the phase-out of gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park underway, Fisheries Queensland is consulting the broader crab sector on measures aimed at mitigating the risk of potential commercial fishing effort transfer to other fisheries.

Mr D’Silva said the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027 outlines how the Queensland Government works with fisheries working groups and the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel to effectively manage recreational, commercial and charter fisheries.

“I encourage all community members to visit our eHub to learn more about these proposals and contribute their views for consideration.”

To read more about these proposals and to have your say, visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ eHub or call 13 25 23.

Submissions close on 9 May 2024.