Trawl exceptions and fishing days

Trawl effort units convert to a fishing day, based on boat-specific criteria (e.g. hull size). Regional trawl effort units are required to fish in specific trawl regions.

If you are operating as a commercial trawler under a T1, T2, M1 or M2 symbol, your effort units are deducted based on the data from your vessel tracking unit.

Trawl exceptions

A trawl exception allows you to carry out certain activities without effort units being deducted from your quota.

To be eligible for an exception, you must meet the relevant conditions found in the Fisheries (Commercial Fisheries) Regulation 2019.

To apply for an exception:

Non-trawl exception

This exception allows a trawler to fish in fisheries other than trawl (if you have the relevant symbol on the primary commercial fishing licence).

Steaming exception

This exception only applies if the trawler is moving from:

  • a defined port area to another defined port area
  • a defined port area to a place outside the east coast trawl fishery area
  • a place outside the east coast trawl fishery area to a defined port area
  • a place outside the east coast trawl fishery area to another place outside the east coast trawl fishery area.

Gear trial exception

This exception allows a trawler to conduct sea trials to test fishing apparatus.

You must provide details of your proposed sea trial (e.g. time and location) at least 24 hours before the journey.

Phone the vessel tracking team on 13 25 23 and contact your local Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.

Fishing days

A fishing day will not be deducted if a boat has a relevant exception.

A fishing day will be recorded as 'used' if a boat operating under the T1, T2, M1 or M2 symbols:

  • is detected at a speed of less than 5 knots in the fishery area
  • moves more than 250m, or 1000m in deep water
  • has vessel tracking equipment that is not working properly and is not manually reporting.

Trawl effort review

If you believe that you have been incorrectly deducted trawl effort, you can request to have this rectified through a review of your trawl fishing activity.

To apply, phone 13 25 23 and request a trawl effort review. We will contact you to start the process.