CLOSED SEASONS PREVENT PEOPLE FROM FISHING AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR TO PROTECT SPECIES AT VULNERABLE TIMES IN THEIR LIFE CYCLE, SUCH AS DURING SPAWNING SEASONS.
The following closed seasons run from midnight to midnight – from 12.01am on the first day of the closure to 11.59pm on the last day of the closure.
AUSTRALIAN BASS
A closed season applies to Australian bass throughout Queensland tidal waters from 1 June to 31 August.
BARRAMUNDI
Throughout the Queensland east coast, a closed season applies to Barramundi from 1 November to 31 January. It is also prohibited to deliberately target Barramundi for catch and release during these closed seasons, as the stress of capture may prevent a fish from spawning.
SNAPPER AND PEARL PERCH
A closed season applies to Snapper and Pearl Perch throughout Queensland tidal waters from 15 July to 15 August.
If you catch a Snapper or Pearl during the closure, use good catch and release techniques – handle the fish correctly, remove the hook if it’s in its mouth or lip, cut the line and leave the hook in place if it’s in the gills or gut and release the fish as soon as possible. Snapper may also need to be treated for barotrauma.
SPANNER CRABS
Throughout Queensland a closed season (regulated period) applies to spanner crabs from 1 November to 15 December inclusive Tropical rock lobster (tropical spiny rock lobster) A closed season applies to all species of tropical rock lobster (family Panuliridae) from 1 October to 31 December in Queensland tidal waters.