To home page
weathersun Home... Fish Facts... QLD regulations...

QLD regulations

An initiative of
Sunfish (Queensland) Fraser Coast Branch Inc.
PO Box 5164
Torquay Queensland 4655
AUSTRALIA

Phone:
+ 61 07 4128 0700

e-mail:
secretary@sunfish.com.au

    Currently no licence is required for saltwater recreational fishing.
    A licence is required for fishing in some freshwater streams and impoundments.
    The sale of any of the fish you catch is totally prohibited!

This page:

Click opens a new page:

Regulated species (Protected Species / NO Take species):
Taking or possessing fish regulated by species is prohibited.
If captured these must be returned to the water immediately

  • Barramundi Cod
  • Chinamanfish
  • Paddletail
  • Potato Cod
  • Queensland Grouper
  • Red Bass
  • Humphead Maori Wrasse
  • Ceratodus or Lungfish
  • Helmet, Trumpet and Clam Shells
  • Female Mud and Blue Swimmer Crabs
  • Whales, Porpoises, Dugong and Dolphin
  • Turtles
  • Egg-bearing female Spanner Crabs
  • Egg-bearing female Moreton Bay Bugs and other species of egg-bearing Sea Bugs
  • Egg-bearing female Slipper Lobsters
  • Great White and Grey Nurse Sharks
  • Mary River Cod*

Mary River cod: totally protected

Once distributed extensively throughout south-east Queensland, the Mary River cod is now found naturally only in parts of the Mary River system.

NOTE: In some dams and weirs that have been stocked with Mary River cod from licensed fish hatcheries, a person may take or possess one (1) cod (50cm min.) taken upstream from the following dams: Bill Gunn, Cressbrook, Hinze, Maroon, Moogerah, North Pine, Somerset, and Wivenhoe.

 

Cleaning Fish:

  • Skin must not be removed from any fish (or fillets) while on board a boat. Once brought ashore, the skin may be removed, however if this is done, the fish must not then be taken back on board a boat. Special provisions apply to removing skin from fish taken on extended commercial fishing tours.
  • All Coral Reef Fin Fish fish must be killed and have a pectoral fin removed before storing.
  • Rec anglers must not remove skin or scales from a fish until it is brought ashore. Skin must not be removed from any fish (or fillets) while on board a boat. (Unless fillet is larger than 40cm).
  • Once brought ashore, the skin may be removed, however if this is done, the fish must not then be taken back on board a boat.
  • An inspector must be able to easily determine the number of fish in possession ie 2 fillets = 1 fish
  • Chinese footballer trout must be kept whole.
     

Recreational fishing gear    (See the DPI site for regulation details)

  1. Lines: (unless otherwise locally regulated eg conservation zones)
    Handlines and rods with up to 6 hooks on each line.
    Fishing from a boat - max. 3 lines per person.
    Artificial fly or lure = 1 hook
  2. Cast Nets:
    No more than 3.7m from the top point of attachment to the lowest point of the net (leadline or pocket)
  3. Bait nets:
    Size - not to exceed 16m long, 3m drop and mesh size 28mm.
    no bags or pockets.
    must not be anchored, fixed or staked.
    Must not be left out of the water if it contains fish.
    can only be used by persons under 15yo if supervised by a person older than 15y.
  4. Crab pots and Dillies:
    max 4 in total per person and over the age of 15y.
    must have a tag bearing the owners surname and address
    If not fixed, a light coloured float 15cm or larger, bearing the name of the owner is to be attached to the apparatus.
  5. Spear Guns:
    May only be used when snorkeling
    only in specified areas
    Power heads NOT permitted to take fish
  6. See the regulations for other regulated apparatus.

Tagged Fish

Scientists have research programs to better determine fish growth, survival and movement. Unregulated tagged fish can be kept, however if you have a tagged fish please record these details:

  • tag numbers
  • date & place of capture
  • fork and total length
  • whether fish was kept or released

and phone 1800 077 001 toll free to give the DPI the details.

Tags may be returned to ??

     

Updated:Wednesday, 17 October 2007