Commercial Net Fisheries

Commercial fishers use a variety of nets and netting methods to catch fish. The nets and methods used depend on the fishery. Some of the nets used include mesh nets and seine nets. Fisheries Queensland has introduced controls so that certain species may not be fished all year round. The open and closed seasons vary from species to species. Most of the catch is sold on the domestic market, both in Queensland and interstate. Mullet roe (ocean beach fishery) and shark fin are exported.

Queensland has 2 major commercial net fisheries:

• the Gulf of Carpentaria inshore fin fish fishery: harvests mainly tropical species, such as: King and Blue threadfins, Barramundi - 30% of total net catch, barred javelin, shark, grey mackerel.
• the east coast inshore fin fish fishery:harvests mainly tropical species, such as: King and Blue Threadfins, Barramundi, shark, Grey Mackerel. The southern areas of the east coast inshore fin fish fishery harvests mainly subtropical fin fish species, such as: Mullet, Tailor, Whiting, Flathead, Bream, Mulloway, School Mackerel.

image: King Threadfin