Gillnet-free zones put Gulf fisheries on track for more sustainable future

• Five gillnet-free zones will strengthen protection measures for at-risk species
• Zones adjusted following input from local Gulf of Carpentaria community members, commercial fishers, recreational stakeholders, non-governmental organisations and Traditional Owner groups
• Commitment to support commercial fishers impacted by changes

Five gillnet-free zones in the Gulf of Carpentaria will be implemented to protect threatened, endangered and protected marine species while supporting a sustainable commercial and recreational fishing industry.

The Queensland Government will provide a $12 million adjustment and support package for commercial fishers impacted by the changes, which come into effect on 17 May 2024.

Extensive consultation with commercial and recreational fishers, Traditional Owners, local communities and conservation groups was undertaken to finalise the gillnet-free zones.

The consultation process identified the need for a fifth gillnet-free zone in addition to the four zones originally proposed.

The new gillnet-free areas will be:

• Northern Gulf of Carpentaria, all waters within the defined area from Boyd Point north to Cape York;
• Western Gulf of Carpentaria, all waters within the defined area from the border with the Northern Territory east to Point Parker, including N3 waters around the Wellesley Islands;
• Norman River, all waters within the defined area including the Norman River and associated tributaries;
• Pormpuraaw, all waters within the defined area from north of Balurga Creek to south of the Chapman River;
• Topsy Creek, all waters within the defined area between north of the South Mitchell River to south of Horse Creek.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:

“The gillnet-free zones we’re implementing in the Gulf of Carpentaria will give the commercial fishing industry the certainty it needs to plan for a sustainable future.

“It will also enable us to meet our obligations to conserve important marine species and protect one of Queensland’s most precious marine ecosystems.

“We conducted a rigorous consultation process in formulating these zones and believe they strike the right balance between the environment, Traditional Owners and local economies.

“We are putting $12 million on the table to support impacted commercial fishers and will work with industry on implementing this package.

“In recognition of the community and industry feedback we received, we have shifted the boundaries of three of the four proposed gillnet-free areas to better support the commercial fishing industry and better align with known geographic reference points.

“The additional gillnet-free area at Topsy Creek was added to support First Nations community members’ desire to build ecotourism and recreational and charter fishing opportunities.”

Further information about the gillnet-free zones:

Maps of the new gillnet-free areas can be found at: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/fisheries/alerts/gillnet-free-areas

There are currently 84 N3 commercial fishing licences in the Gulf, with 59 of those being used by fishers.

The areas to be covered by the new gillnet-free areas represent less than 10 per cent of the commercial fishing take from N3 symbols in the Gulf.

Important measures already in place to minimise interactions with protected wildlife in the Wellesley Islands Protected Wildlife Area will be extended to the adjacent rivers and creeks on the mainland areas open to fishing west of Burketown.

Fishing with gillnets can continue between Point Parker and John’s Creek outside of the defined Western Gulf of Carpentaria gillnet-free area.

Other measures considered during the consultation period that will be progressed in 2024/25 include:

• Short to medium-term actions to rebuild king threadfin stocks;
• Implementation of a new harvest strategy for the Gulf;
• New commercial catch limits and improved reporting arrangements; and
• Implementation of independent onboard monitoring.

As part of the implementation of the changes to the Gulf fishery, the Queensland Government will design a $12 million adjustment and support package for impacted commercial fishers.

Details of the package and the process for applications will be communicated directly to licence holders and announced soon.

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008