Commercial Harvest Fisheries
Queensland's commercial harvest fisheries cover a wide range of species taken from several individually managed fisheries. Target species are generally harvested by hand or by using handheld implements. This often involves the use of underwater breathing apparatus, such as scuba or hookah.
The harvest fisheries are a valuable component of Queensland's commercial fisheries.Export markets are vital to some of these fisheries, particularly those for which a solid domestic demand has not been established.
Sea cucumber (beche-de-mer) fishery,
Marine aquarium fish fishery
Coral fishery
Trochus fishery
Tropical rock lobster fisheryMinor harvest fisheries (including bait fisheries, such as beach worms, bloodworms and yabbies; marine specimen shells; pearl shells; wild-caught oysters).
Minor harvest fisheries
Smaller commercial harvest fisheries exist in Queensland for:
- beachworm fishery
- bloodworm fishery
- Marine yabby fishery
- pearl fishery
- shell fishery
- shell grit fishery
- star sand fishery
- wild-caught oyster fishery.
Beachworm fishery
The commercial beachworm fishery consists of all foreshores south of latitude 10°41'S, and east of longitude 142°31'49"E. It is designated by the fishery symbol W1.
Beachworms may only be taken in the area, within the fishery area, stated on the licence.
Beachworms of the family Onuphidae are the target species.
Bloodworm fishery
The commercial bloodworm fishery consists of all foreshores south of latitude 10°41'S, and east of longitude 142°31'49"E. It is designated by the fishery symbol W2.
Bloodworms of the family Eunicidae are the target species.
Marine yabby fishery
The fishery area consists of all foreshores south of latitude 10°41'S, and east of longitude 142°31'49"E. It is designated by the fishery symbol Y.
The fishery's target species is the marine yabby (Trypaea australiensis).
Pearl fishery
The commercial pearl fishery consists of tidal waters south of latitude 10°41'S and east of longitude 142°31'49"E. It is designated by the fishery symbol P.
Live oysters of the following species may be taken under the licence:
- blacklip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera)
- goldlip pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima)
Shell fishery
The shell fishery consists of all tidal waters and foreshores and is based on the collection of shelled molluscs (many species) for ornamental trade. It is designated by the fishery symbol F.
Only molluscs may be taken under this licence. Green snails, oysters, pearl oysters, trochus and scallops are not permitted under this licence.
Shell grit fishery
The shell grit fishery consists of all tidal waters and foreshores south of latitude 10°41'S, and east of longitude 142°31'49"E. It is designated by the fishery symbol G.
This fishery is based on the collection of crushed shell.
Star sand fishery
The star sand fishery consists of all tidal waters and foreshores south of latitude 10°41'S, and east of longitude 142°31'49"E. It is designated by the fishery symbol H.
This fishery is based on the collection of star sand composed of the calcareous skeletons of unicellular animals known as Foraminifera.
Wild-caught oyster fishery
The commercial wild-caught oyster fishery area consists of all foreshores between low water and high water. It is designated by the fishery symbol O.
The following species may be taken under the licence:
-
blacklip oysters (Striostrea mytiloides)
-
milky oysters (Saccostrea cuccullata)