Our Position on Tunnel Netting in Queensland’s Inshore Flats
The Inshore Flats Project stands firmly against the development of any new tunnel net fishery on Central and North Queensland’s inshore flats.
These shallow-water ecosystems are among the state’s most ecologically valuable environments, supporting a diverse array of marine life and providing a world-class recreational fishery.
Developing a new tunnel netting operation in these fragile areas would jeopardise both their ecological health and the economic and social benefits they create for communities across Queensland and Australia.
The Ecological Importance of Queensland’s Inshore Flats & Coastal Areas
Queensland’s inshore flats are highly productive marine environments that serve as nurseries, feeding grounds, and migratory corridors for countless species. From juvenile fish and crustaceans to iconic species such as Permit, Golden Trevally, and Queenfish, these flats support the lifecycle of many important marine species. Healthy flats help maintain broader coastal food webs, contribute to biodiversity, and act as natural buffers that protect shorelines from erosion. Any threat to these ecosystems has cascading consequences far beyond the flats themselves.
Our Advocacy Efforts
The Inshore Flats Project is actively working to advocate against a new tunnel net fishery being approved for Central and North Queensland’s inshore flats.
Our efforts include:
-
Engaging with government agencies and decision-makers
-
Providing science-based submissions and evidence
-
Raising public awareness through education and outreach
-
Collaborating with scientists, conservation groups, recreational anglers, and industry stakeholders
-
Sharing data, research, and insights to support informed management of our coastal ecosystems
We are committed to championing a future where Queensland’s inshore flats remain healthy, productive, and accessible for everyone.
FishLIGHT Public Consultation 19 Jan 2026
We recently met with the lead tunnel net trial researcher and Fisheries Queensland management staff to outline our concerns and objections to the development of a new tunnel net fishery in Central & North Queensland.
Click here to read the submission a sub-group of our members presented to the Department of Primary Industries on 19 January 2026, opposing the tunnel net trials progressing any further
Our position on the Moreton Bay tunnel net fishery
At present, the only tunnel net fishery in Queensland is a small-scale fishery in South-East Queensland. Most of these licences are for fishing in Moreton Bay. We do not oppose the existing Moreton Bay tunnel net fishery, which has key differences to a new tunnel net fishery in Central and North Queensland
MORETON BAY
-
Established tunnel net fishery that has operated for many years.
-
A lovely place, but not a World Heritage Area
-
Tunnel nets are not allowed to operate in areas of preferred and important dugong habitat
-
Majority of catch is small, plate-sized seafood target species with good eating reputation: eg whiting, flathead and bream
-
High volume tunnel net catch species like whiting, flathead and bream are subject to stock assessments and have catch limits and catch quotas
CENTRAL & NORTH QLD
-
No precedent for tunnel nets
-
Waters are in or adjacent to the iconic, World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef
-
Tunnel net trials have occurred in recognised and protected dugong habitats (ie Dugong Special Management Areas)
-
Majority of tunnel net trial catch (97%) are lower value “by-product” or “by-catch” species with poor or average eating reputation: e.g. trevally and permit
-
High volume / low value tunnel net catch species like trevally and permit have never been subject to a stock assessment, and do not have any catch limits or catch quotas. Further, little or nothing comprehensive is known about these species’ stock size, biology, movements, connectivity and breeding habits.
-
An economically valuable, world-class flats fishery exists in the areas where tunnel nets would be used. Tunnel nets will destroy the flats fishery, resulting in economic loss through the loss of guided fishing, tourism and recreational fishing expenditure.