Developmental fisheries

Developmental fishing determines whether a potential new fishery is commercially viable, socially acceptable and ecologically sustainable.

Developmental fishing is generally regarded as:

• fishing for a species of fish that has been previously unexploited or significantly underutilised
• fishing for an existing commercial species using apparatus currently not permitted by legislation
• fishing for an existing commercial species or use of prescribed apparatus (or both) in locations where such activities have not previously occurred
• combinations of the above.

This guide provides an overview of developmental fisheries in Queensland and the process Fisheries Queensland uses to assess developmental fishery applications.