Turning the Tide Newsletter – Spring 2023
A Net-Free Reef Win!
In a huge win for our Reef’s iconic wildlife, the Queensland and Australian governments have committed to phasing out gillnets on the Great Barrier Reef. An incredible result that will protect dolphins, dugongs, turtles and sharks.
Gillnets are indiscriminate killers, which are responsible for the deaths of dugongs, turtles, sharks and sawfish. Banning them from the Great Barrier Reef is a huge boost for threatened species, the health of the Reef and the multi-billion-dollar Reef tourism industry.
The majority of gillnets will be removed by the end of 2023, with a limited number of licences operating through to 2027 under strict conditions.
Removing gillnets from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area by June 2027, removes a key threat to Reef species like dugongs, turtles and sawfish and will help their populations to recover and thrive.
What Are Gillnets?
Gillnets are large, vertically hanging fishing nets, sometimes over one-kilometre long. They are used to catch large amounts of fish such as barramundi and mackerel but they can kill any creature that swims into them.
Thank You
Over the years tens of thousands of AMCS supporters have sent submissions and signed petitions urging the Queensland government to reduce the impact of gillnets on our Reef – these have made the difference.
This huge win is thanks to Ocean Lovers like you, standing up for our incredible reef wildlife.