Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishing Closures Announced

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Rob Ibell said the closures were vital to protect fish at an important time in their life cycle.

"Two five-day closures each year for five years were announced in October 2009," he said.

"This year, the first closure will run from 12-16 October and the second from 11-15 November."

Mr Ibell said the dates for the closures changed each year depending on the new moon phases.

"The closures coincide with the new moon when key commercially fished coral reef fish species aggregate to spawn," he said.

"October and November have been found to be months of high effectiveness for closures to protect coral reef fin fish, particularly the key target species.

"Tropical snapper and other coral reef fin fish may be more susceptible to concentrated fishing when spawning and these closures are to help ensure the sustainability of the fishery.

"Fishers need to remember that they should not take and possess coral reef fin fish species during the closure period."

The closures are in place from the tip of Cape York in the north, to Bundaberg in the south (the southern boundary is at latitude 2450'S).

The eastern boundary of the closure is the same as the eastern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.