Queensland Commercial and Charter Fishing Grants Program

Successful projects 2024–25

Recipients of the 2024–25 commercial and charter fishing grants have been announced.

The next round of grants will open later in 2025.

About the grants

The Queensland Commercial and Charter Fishing Grants Program aims to promote industry behaviour change, innovation and modernisation.

It supports and funds projects and programs that:

  • mitigate ecological risks
  • support modernisation of the industry
  • are promotional and industry-led campaigns
  • promote sustainable fishing practices to support best practice management in both sectors.

Successful projects 2024–25

Category: promotion and industry-led campaigns

  • Individual applicant

    This initiative enhances the Queensland fishing industry's digital capacity through tailored social media training and content development for 3 selected fishers.

    One-on-one sessions will equip participants with skills to:

    • create engaging content
    • establish an online presence
    • effectively promote their business.

    Collaborating with a content creation expert, they will develop an industry-led campaign showcasing sustainable fishing practices.

Category: trialling alternatives gears, innovation and industry modernisation

  • Fraser Isle Spanner Crab

    This project will establish and execute an industry-driven monitoring initiative to capture size frequency of crabs of all sizes.

    It will also evaluate catch and effort data to consider potential to collect supplementary logbook data.

  • Wren Fishing Pty Ltd

    This project aims to commercially apply LED lights to net fishing operations in the Gulf of Carpentaria, to significantly reduce the bycatch of:

    • elasmobranchs
    • turtles
    • cetaceans
    • other threatened, endangered and protected species (TEPS).

    LED lights are incredibly effective at reducing TEPS bycatch—however, there has been negligible uptake globally of LED lights on nets.

  • Queensland Oyster Growers Association

    This project will provide an opportunity for Queensland's major oyster producers to use the latest surveillance technologies at key locations, to deter theft and damage to Queensland oyster areas.

Category: responsible and sustainable fishing practices and education

  • Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA)

    This project aims to enhance the sustainability and marketability of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in Queensland through:

    • Fisheries Improvement Programs (FIPs)
    • Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) accreditation.

    By engaging stakeholders and focusing on sustainable practices, the project will:

    • improve fishery management
    • meet regulatory conditions
    • gain independent certification.

    This will open new market opportunities, improve prices and build public confidence in the fishery's sustainability.

    The project involves significant industry support and collaboration with external consultants, QSIA and Fisheries Queensland, ensuring comprehensive and effective implementation.

Who can apply

These Queensland organisations can apply for a grant:

  • Licensed commercial fishers
  • Charter fishers
  • Industry groups
  • Peak bodies
  • Universities
  • Councils
  • Statutory bodies
  • Government agencies
  • Incorporated bodies and associations

Criteria

  • You must co-invest in your project and, to be eligible, must match funding of at least 25% of the total project cost.
  • Further contributions towards the project or activity will improve value for money.
  • Your application should specify any in-kind contributions (volunteer work, administration, donations) that will support delivery of the project or activity.

Projects must have met at least 1 of the following criteria:

  • Trialling alternative gears, innovation and industry modernisation — e.g. trialling new bycatch reduction devices, developing and testing new fishing gear for improved efficiency, trialling cameras or e-monitoring, researching methods to reduce predation by sharks.
  • Responsible and sustainable fishing practices and education — e.g. promoting responsible fishing practices, developing and implementing codes of practice and best management practice, developing training program or videos for industry.
  • Promotion and industry-led campaigns — e.g. promoting Queensland sustainable seafood, commercial fisher mental wellbeing.

We were also interested in applications that address 1 or more of these priorities:

Conflict of interest

The project should be delivered independently of this department or departmental staff to avoid a conflict of interest.

Other support

Contact

Last updated: 29 Apr 2025