Queensland seafood is a wonderful natural resource. By only harvesting what nature can replace, Queensland fishers are assuring the future of their business for their children and grand children.

If fisheries are to be used in a sustainable way, it takes long term determination, restraint and a willingness to use and share the best scientific and management information available. By their actions, Queensland’s professional fishers are demonstrating their commitment to this process on a daily basis.

Queensland fishers work closely with fisheries and environmental scientists to ensure their catches are sustainable. They are at the forefront of efforts to minimize impacts on the environment. They observe limits to the amount of catch and the timing and location of fishing operations.

The amount of their catch and fishing effort is monitored both through compulsory log books and through leading edge technology: satellite based vessel monitoring systems that not only tracks vessels’ positions and provides on-board communication and management information but can also allow the catch to be recorded in real time.

Queensland’s professional fishers have cooperated enthusiastically with research teams developing technology to minimize impacts on the environment, such as turtle exclusion devices and bycatch reduction devices now mandatory on all trawl fishing vessels. With the support of fishers, Queensland was also the first jurisdiction in the world to make mandatory an Endangered and Threatened Species Awareness Course before entering the industry.

A major concern of fishers is the impact of urban, industrial and agricultural development on fisheries ecosystems. For many years, fishers have been contributing to scientific research that seeks to better understand these environments. They have also been campaigning for better protection of vital fish nurseries, habitats and environmental flows.

Queensland’s professional fishers take very seriously their duty to be responsible towards the environment. They are proud to share with other Australians the custodianship of some of most spectacular and valuable natural resources.