CORAL reef fin fish will be off limits from October 17 for the first of two annual closures to protect the fish during spawning season.
October and November have been found to be the most effective months for closures to protect coral reef fin fish,
This year, the first closure starts immediately after midnight at the beginning of October 17 and ends immediately before midnight at the end of October 21.
The second closure starts immediately after midnight at the beginning of November 15 and ends immediately before midnight at the end of November 19.
The closures are in place from the northern tip of Cape York to Bundaberg in the south (the southern boundary is at latitude 24º50’S).
The eastern boundary of the closure is similar to the eastern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Coral reef fin fish included cods and groupers, emperors, parrotfishes, sweetlips, wrasses, coral trout, fusiliers, surgeonfishes, tropical snappers and seaperches.
It’s important fishers are aware of which species are affected by the closure and know how to correctly identify them,
A reef fish web guide is available online at www.fisheries.qld.gov.au and the Qld Fishing smartphone app also includes species images to help fishers identify fish listed as coral reef fin fish.
The coral reef fin fish closures apply to both commercial and recreational fishers. Charter operators who meet qualifying criteria can apply for an exemption.
For more information on Queensland’s closed fishing seasons, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from Apple and Google app stores.
