Reef fish are harvested throughout the Queensland coast - from the NSW border to the Torres Straits ­ although most of the catch is harvested in the waters between Bundaberg and Cooktown.
The Queensland reef line fishery operates under the leading edge Reef Fin Fish Management Plan, and is widely recognised as the best managed reef fish fishery anywhere in the world.

Strict limits are placed on the overall harvest for the fishery each year to ensure that catches are sustainable. Within the overall total allowable catch, individual limits are placed on important species such as coral trout and red throat emperor.

Fish are harvested using the same hook and line apparatus as used by recreational fishers. Commercial fishers work very closely with fisheries scientists to ensure that catches are sustainable.

Under the plan catches are reviewed every 2 years to ensure that catches remain sustainable, and that the community is receiving optimal economic and employment benefit from the fishery.
All fish under the Reef Fin Fish Fishery Plan are subject to science-based minimum legal size limits to ensure that enough fish have spawned before entering into the fishery. In addition, approximately 40% of the productive area of the fishery is closed to fishing, which helps maintain healthy populations of reef fish and natural ecosystem function.