Fishing

Fishing is a popular recreational pastime that allows people to spend time on the water with family and friends and to get in touch with the natural world. The Great Barrier Reef offers many exciting and different fishing opportunities. 

As well as observing fishing regulations, it is important that those who fish adopt responsible fishing practices while out on the water. These practices help protect the natural environment, maintain the ecological balance of the Reef and contribute to improving its general health. 

By following these simple guidelines you are helping to ensure that the Great Barrier Reef continues to be one of the best spots on earth to fish.

Responsible Reef Practices

In general

• Advise your clients about all fishing regulations and best practices.
• Provide interpretation about sustainable fishing practices, species identification and measurement, protected fish species (such as maori wrasse, and barramundi cod). Explain why the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is a special place and the reasons for its fishing arrangements.

When fishing

• Take only what you need - do not necessarily fish to the bag limit.
• Do not use pest or non-native fish for bait. Never release introduced species into the water.
• Do not fish where fish feeding takes place, for example as part of a tourist program.
• Do not fish near a commercial dive site or pontoon.
• Do not fish in known or suspected fish spawning aggregation sites.
• Fish a safe distance from marine animals (such as dolphins, whales, turtles and dugongs) and bird roosting or nesting areas.
• If you’re unsure of the fish identity or size, release the fish immediately.
• Return all undersized and unwanted fish quickly to minimise injury.
• If you’re keeping the fish, remove it from the hook or net immediately and kill it humanely.
• Do not litter - clean up all fishing gear (such as discarded tackle and line, and bait bags) and take it back to shore to dispose of it properly.
• Participate in fish monitoring and research programs where available.

When returning unwanted fish

• Minimise how long the fish is out of the water - keep fish in the water as much as possible and have your equipment close at hand. Very large fish should not be removed from the water.
• Do not leave fish on a hot, dry surface to thrash around.
• Place fish on a wet towel and cover them, especially the gills and eyes. The fish should not dry out and direct sunlight can damage their eyes.
• Handle fish gently - fully support its body, do not hold upright by the jaw, squeeze or kneel on the fish.
• Use wet hands or wet cloth when handling fish to minimise damage to their protective mucous coating.
• Remove the hook carefully and quickly using a pair of long nose pliers or a dehooker to minimise tissue tearing. If the hook is difficult to remove, cut the line instead.
• Help fish recover before their release - gently release the fish headfirst into the water.
• Use barbless hooks or those that are unlikely to become hooked in the gills or gut.

Reporting

Please report tagged fish, suspected illegal fishing incidents, fish kills (large numbers of dead fish) and entrapped marine animals.

Marine Parks Legal Requirements

• You must not 'take' protected fish species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park unless you have a Marine Parks permit.
  Note: 'Take' includes removing, gathering, killing or interfering with, or attempting to take. There may be special arrangements for Traditional Owners.
• You must abide by the fishing requirements in the Zoning Plan
• General Use Zone (light blue) and Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) - maximum of 3 lines/rods per person, 6 hooks in total.
• Conservation Park Zone (yellow) - 1 line/rod with 1 hook per person.
• Buffer Zone (olive green) - maximum 3 lines/rods per person, 6 hooks in total, trolling for pelagic species only.
• No fishing in the Scientific Research Zone (orange), Marine National Park Zone (green) or Preservation Zone (pink).
• You must abide by State Fishing regulations including species allowed, size limits, bag limits, protected species, tackle restrictions, and seasonal and area closures. (See Related Links)
• You must not discharge fresh fish parts, unless the fish were caught in the Marine Park.
• Special requirements apply to spearfishing.
• Within 7 days of you becoming aware that an activity you undertook resulted in an unintentional death, injury, trading, taking, keeping or moving of Freshwater Sawfish, a Whale Shark, a Grey Nurse Shark or a Great White Shark without a permit, you must notify the Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Heritage.