Vessel tracking

Vessel tracking review

Fisheries Queensland is undertaking a review of the implementation and administration of vessel tracking in Queensland's commercial fisheries.

Follow the progress of the review or ask questions via the vessel tracking engagement hub.

For all vessel tracking requirements, please refer to fisheries legislationFisheries Act 1994, Fisheries (General) Regulation 2019 and Fisheries (Commercial Fisheries) Regulation 2019 – and Business Queensland.

Vessel tracking helps to ensure the sustainability of Queensland’s fisheries. Monitoring commercial fishing activity allows more informed and responsive management of our fisheries resources upon which many commercial operators and regional communities depend.

Vessel tracking units

Authority holders have until 30 June 2024 to apply for a rebate through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority to help pay for the purchase and installation costs associated with implementing vessel tracking.

Commercial fishers that are required to have vessel tracking on their boats must use a Fisheries Queensland approved unit and comply with the installation and maintenance standard when configuring, installing and maintaining vessel tracking equipment.

Find out more about the safety requirements for vessel tracking units and installation, and work health and safety responsibilities.

Commercial fishery requirements

Commercial fishers with a licence to operate in the following fisheries must have an approved and registered vessel tracking unit on their boats:

Fishery symbolFishery
A1, A2 Aquarium fish fishery
B1 Sea cucumber (beche-de-mer) fishery
C1 Crab fishery (other than spanner crab)
C2, C3 Crab fishery (spanner crab)
D Coral fishery
J1 Trochus (east coast)
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8 Net fishery (ocean beach)
L1, L2, L3, L4, L8 Line fishery
M1 Moreton Bay trawl fishery
M2 Moreton Bay trawl fishery
N1, N2, N3, N4, N10, N11, N12, N13 Net fishery
R Crayfish and rock lobster fishery
T1, T2 Trawl fishery
T4 Trawl fishery (fin fish)
T5, T6, T7, T8, T9 Trawl fishery (river and inshore)

Vessel tracking is not required in the following commercial fisheries:

Fishery symbolRequirement
P Pearl fishery
E Eel fishery (adults)
F Shell fishery
G Shell grit fishery
H Star sand fishery
JE Juvenile eel fishery
O Oyster fishery
W1 Worm fishery (beachworm)
W2 Worm fishery (bloodworm)
Y Yabby fishery

More information

For all vessel tracking enquiries, call 13 25 23 or email vesseltracking@daf.qld.gov.au.