Black jewfish now a no-take species in Eastern Queensland

Anglers can no longer target black jewfish for a feed now this year’s commercial catch limit was reached.

Fishers on Queensland’s east coast cannot keep black jewfish until next year.

Anglers can no longer target black jewfish for a feed now this year’s commercial catch limit was reached.

Black jewfish are now a commercial and recreational no-take species on the east coast until the fishery reopens on January 1, 2021.

Any fishers found to be in possession of a black jewfish could be fined $133,450.

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Last year, the Queensland Government introduced a 20-tonne limit for black jewfish because it is vulnerable to overfishing due a high demand for its swim bladder on the black market.

Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said fishers found with a commercial quantity of black jewfish risked larger fines or even time behind bars.

“Any fisher found to be in possession of commercial quantity of black jewfish with the intention of black marketing the fish may be subject to a maximum fine of $400,350 or three years imprisonment,” he said.

“Stock collapses have been previously seen in Australia and overseas so we have taken management action to protect this resource and its long-term economic viability.”

In the Gulf of Carpentaria there is a six-tonne limit and the fishery is still open.

Originally published as Black jewfish now a no-take species in Eastern Queensland