CORAL REEF SPAWNING CLOSURE ABOUT TO START

_{09 October, 2009}

Sign Up for free e-mail updates!

Coral reef fish species will be off limits from October 15 to October 19 as the first spawning closure of the new regime comes into effect.

Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt said the closures were in place to protect fish during peak periods of spawning.

"Coral reef fin fish in particular coral trout are vulnerable at this time in their life cycle as the fish aggregate to spawn around the new moon," Ms Jarratt said.

"The closures span the new moon in the key spawning months October and November and historically, 3 nine-day closures were in place to protect the stocks. However, the latest research tells us that the fish stocks are healthy allowing for the closures to be dropped down to two five-day periods."
 
Ms Jarratt said the changes would alleviate some pressure on industry and allow fishing over Christmas holidays while also continuing to protect fish stocks.

"With the upcoming summer months being a popular time for casting a line, the change is great news for our commercial fisheries as well as our charter operators and recreational fishers,” she said.

"In addition to the changes this year, dates for the next five years have also been set.
By setting these dates in advance, tourism operators and commercial fishers can benefit from being able to plan ahead in their businesses."

For more information contact Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or visit www.deedi.qld.gov.au

Closure dates

Year Closure 1 Closure 2
2009 15 October to 19 October 14 November to 18 November
2010 5 October to 9 October 3 November to 7 November
2011 24 October to 28 October 22 November to 26 November
2012 12 October to 16 October 11 November to 15 November
2013 2 October to 6 October 31 October to 4 November

Media contact-
Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

More Media Releases