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 the inshore flats of Central and North Queensland’s beaches, bays and foreshores (‘flats’).
These shallow-water ecosystems, which form part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, 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 movement corridors for countless species. From juvenile fish, and crustaceans, through to iconic species such as Permit, Giant Trevally, Golden Trevally, and Queenfish, through to megafauna like turtles, dugong and rays.
Our flats link our rivers, estuaries, mangroves, islands and reefs. They 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 on Central and North Queensland’s inshore flats.
Our efforts include:
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Engaging with government agencies and decision-makers
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Providing science-based submissions and evidence
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Fact-checking information published about tunnel nets
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Raising public awareness through education and outreach
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Collaborating with scientists, conservation groups, recreational anglers, and industry stakeholders
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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.
Read our submissions, fact-checker and more here:
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
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Established tunnel net fishery that has operated for many years.
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A lovely place, but not a World Heritage Area
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Tunnel nets are not allowed to operate in areas of preferred and important dugong habitat
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Majority of catch is small, plate-sized seafood target species with good eating reputation: eg whiting, flathead and bream
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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
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No precedent for tunnel nets
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Proposed sites are in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
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Tunnel net trials have occurred in Dugong Protected Areas
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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
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Majority of tunnel net catch have never been subject to a stock assessment, and do not have commercial catch quotas. Most have no commercial size limits. Further, little or nothing comprehensive is known about these species’ stock size, biology, movements, connectivity and breeding habits.
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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.