Queensland Scallop Fishery Partially Reopens

The Queensland government has partially reopened scallop fishing in the central inshore region, spanning from Yeppoon to Townsville, effective March.

This marks the first time in four years that fishers in this area will be permitted to catch scallops.

However, the southern inshore waters, located between Yeppoon and Hervey Bay, will remain closed to scallop fishing. The state government implemented a ban in 2021 following concerns that overfishing had depleted approximately 88 percent of the scallop stock.

Southern Waters Remain Closed Amid Depleted Stocks

Bundaberg fishmonger Paul Grunske stated that the closure led to millions of dollars in lost revenue for the Bundaberg economy and wider community. Fishers operating in these closed areas are required to return any scallops caught inadvertently.

Population surveys in the southern inshore region indicated declining numbers as early as 2016. A 2020 report showed that only 12 percent of the total scallop biomass remained, prompting government action.

In 2025, the Department of Primary Industries conducted another stock survey.

The findings revealed that the scallop biomass in the southern inshore waters did not reach the 20 percent benchmark established for reopening the fishery.

Pauline Jacob, director general of Fisheries and Forestry, reported varied scallop presence across the inshore area. She also mentioned ongoing investigations into potential environmental impacts, such as flooding.

She confirmed that the continued closure of the southern fishery is intended to ensure sustainable management of the stock.

Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive David Bobberman suggested that allowing fishers to collect small amounts of scallops could aid in data collection, given the species' inconsistent populations.

North Queensland Welcomes Reopening

Mark Millward, a commercial fisher based in Townsville, welcomed the reopening in North Queensland as a preliminary step. He noted that the reopening would provide an additional income source for fishers and is expected to create local processing jobs. This would make scallops available on menus in the region and potentially further south.