What it does
The Fisheries Act 1994 (Qld) establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management of Queensland's fisheries resources and fish habitats. At its core, the Act's main purpose, as articulated in s.3(1), is to provide for the use, conservation and enhancement of the community's fisheries resources and fish habitats in a way that applies and balances the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD). ESD is defined in s.3(5) as using, conserving and enhancing those resources and habitats so that ecological processes are maintained and the total quality of life, both now and in the future, can be improved. The principles of ESD, listed in s.3(5), include intergenerational equity, protection of biological diversity, integration of economic, environmental and social considerations, the precautionary principle, and broad community involvement.
A further, distinct purpose under s.3(3) is to reduce the possibility of shark attacks on humans in coastal waters adjacent to beaches used for bathing. This is achieved primarily through the shark control program managed by the chief executive under s.3A(3) and Part 3. The Act does not limit its purposes to those in s.3(1) and (3), per s.3(4).
The Act achieves its main purpose primarily by providing for the management and protection of fish habitats, the management of commercial, charter, recreational and Indigenous fishing, and the management of aquaculture (s.3A(1)). It emphasises consultation with stakeholders and a transparent approach to allocating access to fisheries resources (s.3A(2)).
Key mechanisms include:
- Harvest strategies: Under Part 2, Division 1 (ss.15–26), the Minister may approve harvest strategies prepared by the chief executive for particular fisheries. These must state ecological, economic and social objectives, allocations to fishing sectors, targets, limits, triggers for action, and performance measurement (s.19). Actions under the Act must be consistent with an approved harvest strategy (s.23), with limited exceptions for Ministerial directions (s.24).