The Queensland government has announced a mandatory rollout of electronic camera monitoring on 90 percent of trawlers operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This initiative is aimed at monitoring bycatch of endangered species, including sea snakes and sawfish, as part of efforts to protect the marine ecosystem. The plan will involve the installation of government-owned cameras on over 225 trawlers, with the rollout scheduled to commence in June and expected to take six years to complete.

The initiative, costing around $44 million, reflects a significant investment by the Queensland taxpayers aimed at ensuring sustainable fishing practices in the state’s largest wild-caught fishery. While Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett expressed confidence in the sustainability of current fishing operations, conservationists have raised concerns, arguing that the timeframe for implementation is too lengthy. They emphasize the urgent need for stronger measures to protect endangered marine species amid ongoing fishing activities in this ecologically sensitive area.

This development comes amidst growing scrutiny of fishing practices and their impact on endangered species, highlighting a shift towards greater accountability in the fishing industry. The introduction of camera monitoring is seen as a step towards improving transparency and compliance with sustainable fishing regulations, which is critical for the ecological health of the Great Barrier Reef region. As this program unfolds, it will be closely monitored by environmental advocates and the fishing community alike, with potential implications for conservation efforts across Australia's marine ecosystems.