Collecting juvenile eels

For aquaculture, juvenile eels must be caught from the wild and then grown in culture facilities. Eel aquaculture relies on the availability and sustainability of juvenile eel resources. Scientific research to date suggests availability of juvenile eel resources in Queensland are variable and conditional on the environment.

Juvenile eels are caught using nets in river basins associated with 23 rivers along the east coast of Queensland. Queensland commercial juvenile eel licences are limited by number (12), but each with no quota limit.

To ensure this resource is not over-exploited, the Queensland Government manages the collection of glass eels and does not permit their export. Heavy penalties apply. These controls are required for a sustainable industry.

Also consider...

• Find out how to get started in aquaculture.
• You will need to discuss technical and licensing aspects of any proposed aquaculture venture with staff from Fisheries Queensland and the Department of Environment and Science before proceeding with site selection, design and, where applicable, land purchase.
• Find out how to prevent, identify and manage disease in aquaculture farms.
• Download the latest report to farmers for aquaculture industry statistics and production data.