Future fishing

Background

We are committed to a wild-caught seafood industry that provides the quality products that consumers appreciate, while protecting our unique ocean environments—especially the Great Barrier Reef.

As a key part of delivering this shared vision, the Australian and Queensland governments have committed to maintaining the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage area that is considered 'not in danger'.

At the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in September 2023, the committee agreed to adopt the draft decision proposed by UNESCO to not consider the Great Barrier Reef for the List of World Heritage In Danger.

The committee requested the submission of a progress report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2024 for consideration at next year's 46th session of the World Heritage Committee. Read more about the World Heritage Committee decision.

Earlier this year the Australian and Queensland governments announced a package to phase out gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef by mid-2027 and transition to more sustainable fishing practices.

Phasing out gillnets in the Great Barrier Reef is a key commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef. At present, the Queensland gillnet fishery within the Great Barrier Reef provides 2.6% of the entire east coast wild-caught seafood harvest to consumers.

The Queensland Government has accepted the Future Fishing Taskforce recommendations regarding distribution of the $185 million joint package, committing $125 million to implement:

• phasing out of gillnets on the Great Barrier Reef
• rezoning the Great Sandy Marine Park
• increasing protection from gillnet impacts in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

To support regional economies, further investment into the aquaculture and tourism industries will also be funded.

The remaining $60 million from the Australian Government is for:

• additional programs to implement independent data validation
• further reduce bycatch in high-risk fisheries.

It is not for structural adjustment.

Support for affected licence holders

All licence holders

• $3,000 grant for seeking independent financial or legal advice to eligible licence holders.
• Symbol and individual transferable quota unit values established based on expert advice on values prior to the 5 June 2023 announcement.
• Holders of previous N4 and N2 symbols will be paid $150,000 and $60,000 respectively.
• Holders of previous N1 symbols will be paid $35,000.
• Holders of the following individual transferable quotas will be paid the corresponding values:
  • barramundi (BM1–5: $17/unit)
  • king threadfin (KT1–5: $20/unit)
  • grey mackerel (GM1–5: $25/unit).
• Holders of N10 and K symbols will be paid 80% of the value of the previous N1 symbol to acknowledge loss of access to management regions 1 to 4 ($28,000). They will automatically be granted an 'as of right' N15 symbol (similar to the previous).
• Eligible deck hands and skippers (employees) will receive ex-gratia payments ($8,000 and $10,000 respectively) and be entitled to a TAFE retraining grant.
• Nets will be bought back and additional financial support for net reel boat refit grants and other costs associated with stranded assets.
• Red tape will be removed to create new supply chain opportunities for line-caught barramundi.

Great Barrier Reef fishers

• Eligible licence or lease holders with recent catch history (since September 2021) in the Great Barrier Reef (management regions 1 to 4) under a previous N1, N2 or N4 symbol will be entitled to an ex-gratia payment, that approximates future income lost for a period of 3 years, based on average reported harvest and BDO beach values (and CPI indexation).
• Holders of previous N1, N2 or N4 licences with catch history in the Great Barrier Reef can opt to seek a total licence package buy out—for all eligible symbols and primary commercial fishing boat licence.
• Eligible holders of N11 licences with relevant catch history in the new net-free north may also be entitled to an ex-gratia payment.
• Eligible licence or lease holders that have not had a recent catch history due to extenuating circumstances may still be eligible pending demonstration of such circumstances.
• For management regions 2 to 4 (Great Barrier Reef), a new temporary symbol for gillnetting will be available—NX. These will be available for up to 40 eligible licence holders.

Great Sandy Marine Park

• Eligible licence or lease holders with recent catch history (since September 2021) in areas which are no longer accessible (because of rezoning of the Great Sandy Marine Park) under an eligible N, C1, L or T symbols will be entitled to an ex-gratia payment, that approximates future income lost for a period of 3 years, based on average reported harvest and BDO beach values (and CPI indexation).
• Holders of ITQ units for grey mackerel, school mackerel and whiting in management region 5 can seek a voluntary buy out ($25/unit GM5, $20/unit SM5 and $20/unit WT5).
• Holders of previous N1 or N2 licences with catch history in the Great Sandy Marine Park can opt to seek a total licence package buy out—for all eligible symbols and primary commercial fishing boat licence.
• Other impacted fisheries (harvest, marine aquarium fish) will also receive ex-gratia payment that approximates future income lost for a period of 3 years.
• Eligible licence or lease holders that have not had a recent catch history due to extenuating circumstances may still be eligible pending demonstration of such circumstances.

Business and downstream supply chain support

The immediate priority for financial support are the affected fishers, so business and supply chain support details (such as eligibility criteria and funding) will follow in early 2024.

Great Barrier Reef gill net licence from 2024 to June 2027

As part of transitional arrangements for commercial fishers, the Queensland Government has issued a limited number of gillnet fishing symbols (NX) for the Great Barrier Reef region that will expire on 30 June 2027.

These will be available to existing eligible fishers and operate under similar arrangements as the previous N2 arrangements, with the following exceptions:

• defined Dugong Protection Area A areas will be closed to gill nets
• defined Dugong Protection Area B areas will be closed to gill nets—except associated rivers and creeks, which will remain open
• harvest of key species won't be subject to individual transferable quota, instead there will be competitive regional total allowable commercial catch limits
• commitment to independent data validation through onboard observers or cameras will be a mandatory condition of operating
• automatic expiration on 30 June 2027.

A further new symbol (N15) will replace the existing gillnet licences operating south of the Great Barrier Reef in management region 5. These will be available to existing eligible licence holders and operate as per the previous N1 arrangements, and the take of barramundi will be permitted.

Other initiatives

Other initiatives that will be implemented under the Queensland Government's $125 million funding include:

• $1.5 million for reskilling and retraining grants and support
• $2.25 million to support employees such as deckhands and skippers
• $15 million to develop a whole-of-government strategy to accelerate and adopt innovative best-practice sustainable aquaculture in Queensland
• $4.5 million with matching Australian Government funding to support an evidence-based approach to developing and trialling sustainable alternative commercial fishing gear
• $2.95 million for developing and growing sustainable regional jobs, and supporting master fishers training and threatened species protection
• $1.5 million for making hammerhead shark a no-take species for commercial fishers.

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will contact affected commercial fishing licence holders when the adjustment package becomes available.

Future Fishing Taskforce

The independently chaired Future Fishing Taskforce was formed to make recommendations about compensation packages to ensure the amounts payable are fair and consistent for all eligible fishing industry participants.

The chair of the taskforce was Mr John Tanzer. He has significant fisheries, marine park and governance experience developed over many years working in Queensland, Commonwealth and international agencies.

Members of the taskforce included senior representatives from:

• Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
• Department of the Environment and Science
• Department of the Premier and Cabinet
• Queensland Treasury
• Queensland Rural Industry and Development Authority.

The taskforce sought input from subject matter experts, stakeholders and peak bodies and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The results of targeted consultation with affected commercial fishers and processors was also provided for consideration.

The taskforce focused their discussions on investment and initiatives to protect the Reef, including the following issues:

• adoption and trialling of sustainable fishing methods and alternatives to gillnets
• business advice, management and disposal of stranded assets, and retraining and reskilling
• investment for expansion into new aquaculture and oyster mariculture initiatives, line-caught fisheries, charter and indigenous fishing businesses
• growing nature-based sustainable economic opportunities
• investigating 'reef safe' accreditation for export markets
• managing other potential high risk fishing activities affecting the Great Barrier Reef
• the operation of the limited-life net fishery licences for the Great Barrier Reef (that will expire in June 2027)
• the ongoing operation of gillnet licences operating south of the Great Barrier Reef (management region 5), taking into account the Great Sandy Marine Park rezoning
• other potential gillnet free zones on the east coast and in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The taskforce also considered assessment of impacts and the development of an impact mitigation package for industry participants who are directly affected by the Great Sandy Marine Park zoning plan changes. The impact mitigation package includes:

• financial mitigation for eligible fishers
• buyback of fishing entitlements (primary licences and symbols) to address displacement of fishing effort and to provide an opportunity for affected fishers to exit the industry
• purchase of quota units for some species
• some support for eligible post-harvest seafood businesses to adapt to changed or reduced seafood supply.

Meeting communiques

• 15 and 22 September 2023 taskforce meetings
• 8 September 2023 taskforce meeting
• 1 September 2023 taskforce meeting
• 25 August 2023 taskforce meeting
• 18 August 2023 taskforce meeting
• 11 August 2023 taskforce meeting
• 3 August 2023 taskforce meeting
• 28 July 2023 taskforce meeting

More information and support

QRIDA (structural adjustment payments)

• Call 1800 623 946
• Visit qrida.qld.gov.au

Fisheries Queensland

• Email Future.Fishing@daf.qld.gov.au
• Call 13 25 23

Small business support

Access free services to support your small business:

• Find a small business financial counsellor near you.
• Learn about the mentoring and growth programs.
• Engage a small business wellness coach.

Rural Financial Counselling Service

• Provides free financial counselling to help you if you are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
• Call 1300 771 741
• Visit the southern Queensland or northern Queensland website to find a counsellor in your area.

Stay Afloat

• We acknowledge the difficulties the commercial fishing industry is facing.
• We have partnered with Stay Afloat to provide confidential mental health support and advice.