Fisheries management

The Coral Sea Fishery (CSF) is a relatively small but diverse fishery, targeting a wide range of species with methods including line, trap, trawl and hand collection. Entry to the CSF is limited to the existing 17 fishing permits. The CSF covers waters from the east of Sandy Cape (Fraser Island) to east of Cape York. The Fishery commences east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and extends to the edge of the Australian Fishing Zone. It excludes the areas of the Coringa-Herald and Lihou Reef National Nature Reserves.

The fishery is managed by AFMA in consultation with a range of stakeholders under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. Policies such as harvest strategies, bycatch and discard plans and voluntary industry codes also contribute to the management of the fishery.