About the By-catch Project
Queensland 's commercial fishers provide a wide range of fresh, high-quality seafood for the domestic and export markets. The Queensland Government has worked with the commercial fishing industry to develop and implement reforms to protect fish stocks and industry sustainability. Additionally, the commercial fishing industry has worked pro-actively to improve its environmental performance. A significant advance has been the adoption of new techniques to reduce by-catch and the impact of commercial fishing activities on turtles and other marine life. Nevertheless, dead by-catch continues to wash up on Queensland beaches which is a concern for local communities, tourists and recreational and commercial fishers.
The Queensland Government's 'Taking By-catch off our Beaches' policy of 5 September 2006 provides funding to assist the commercial fishing industry reduce by-catch and its impact on our marine environment. This initiative is administered by the department and offers rebate assistance to commercial fishers to install hoppers on their vessels. Read more about Australian trawl hoppers.
A 'By-catch Steering Group' chaired by the department, consisting of representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, Moreton Bay Seafood Industry Association, Independent Trawler Association, Sterling Trawl Gear Services and Maritime Safety Queensland is working at an operational level to deliver the by-catch project. The steering group provides an expert panel to the department, thereby enabling the delivery of project outcomes which provide optimum collective benefit for the Government and the commercial fishing industry.
Last updated: 20 February 2009