Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback Region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014

Research by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences About my region 14.30 December 2014 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

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ISSN TBA ISBN 978-1-74323-091-6 ABARES project 43009

Internet Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Outback region of Queensland 2014 is available at agriculture.gov.au/abares. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Postal address GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Switchboard +61 2 6272 3933 Facsimile +61 2 6272 2001 Email [email protected] Web agriculture.gov.au/abares Inquiries about the licence and any use of this document should be sent to [email protected]. The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, represented by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has exercised due care and skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, ABARES, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law. Acknowledgements ABARES relies on the voluntary cooperation of farmers participating in the annual Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, Australian Dairy Industry Survey, and Australian Vegetable Growing Farms Survey to provide data used in the preparation of this report. Without their help, these surveys would not be possible. ABARES farm survey staff collected most of the information presented in this report through on-farm interviews with farmers. This regional profile was updated by Therese Thompson, Haydn Valle and Mary Stephan. Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Contents

iii Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

1) Regional overview

The Queensland-Outback region is located in the west of the state, and spans from the tip of Cape York to the borders of the Northern Territory and New South Wales (Map 1). The region comprises 34 local government areas. The region covers a total area of around 1 million square kilometres, or 68 per cent of Queensland’s total area, and is home to approximately 82 900 people (ABS 2011).

Agricultural land in the Queensland-Outback region occupies 1 044 290 square kilometres, or 88 per cent of the region. Areas classified as conservation and natural environments (nature conservation, protected areas and minimal use) occupy 123 750 square kilometres, or 10 per cent of the region. The most common land use by area is grazing natural vegetation, which occupies 993 190 square kilometres or 84 per cent of the Queensland-Outback region.

Map 1 Queensland-Outback region of Queensland

Employment

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from 2014 indicate that around 50 200 people were employed in the Queensland-Outback region. The Queensland-Outback region accounts for 2 per cent of total employment in Queensland and 10 per cent of all people employed in the Queensland agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Mining was the largest employment sector with 11 000 people (Figure 1), followed by public administration and safety (6600 people). Agriculture, forestry and fishing was the third largest employing sector with 5500 people representing 11 per cent of the region’s workforce. Other important employment sectors in the region were health care and social assistance (5300 people), education and training (4000 people), and accommodation and food services (3000 people). Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Figure 1 Employment profile, Queensland-Outback region, August 2014

Mining Public Administration and Safety Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Health Care and Social Assistance Education and Training Accommodation and Food Services Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Construction Manufacturing Transport, Postal and Warehousing Retail Trade Administrative and Support Services Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Wholesale Trade Other Services Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Financial and Insurance Services Information Media and Telecommunications Arts and Recreation Services

Employed total ('000 ) - 5 10 15

Note: Annual average of the preceding 4 quarters. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 6291.0, Labour Force, Australia

5 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

2) Agriculture sector

Value of agricultural production

In 2012–13, the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) in the Queensland-Outback region was $1.6 billion, which was 16 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production in Queensland ($10 billion). This is the most recent year for which ABS data are available.

The most important agricultural commodity in the Queensland-Outback region based on the gross value of agricultural production was cattle and calves (Figure 2). In 2012–13, cattle and calves contributed 88 per cent ($1.4 billion) to the value of agricultural production in the region. Wool and fruit and nuts (excluding grapes) each accounted for 5 per cent ($63 million and 61 million, respectively), with the main fruit and nut crops being mangoes ($16 million), and avocados ($5 million).

Figure 2 Value of agricultural production, Queensland-Outback region, 2012–13

Cattle and calves

Fruit and nuts (excluding grapes)

Sheep and lambs

Sugar cane

Vegetables

$m 500 1000 1500

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, cat. no. 7503.0, Value of agricultural commodities produced, Australia Number and type of farms

ABS data indicate that in 2012–13 there were 2244 farms in the Queensland-Outback region with an estimated value of agricultural operations of more than $5000 (Table 1Error: Reference source not found). The region contains 8 per cent of all farm businesses in Queensland. Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Table 1 Number of farms, by industry classification, 2011–12 Industry Classification Queensland - Outback region Queensland no. % no. % Beef Cattle 1 530 68 12 741 48 Mixed livestock 217 10 351 1 Fruit and nuts 142 6 1 630 6 Other livestock 62 3 811 3 Sheep 38 2 215 1 Sugar cane 19 1 2 912 11 Other 236 11 7 881 30 Total Agriculture 2 244 100 26 541 100 Note: Estimated value of agricultural operations greater than $5000. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Farms are classified in Table 1 according to the activities that generate most of their value of production. Beef cattle (1530 farms) were the most common, accounting for 68 per cent of all farms in the Queensland-Outback region, and 12 per cent of all beef cattle farms in Queensland.

There is a large percentage of small farms in the region in terms of their value of agricultural output. Estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) is a measure of the value of production from farms and a measure of their business size. Around 51 per cent of farms in the Queensland-Outback region had an EVAO of less than $350 000 (Figure 3). These farms accounted for only 11 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in 2012–13. In comparison, 38 per cent of farms in the region had an EVAO of more than $500 000 and accounted for an estimated 82 per cent of the total value of agricultural operations in the region in 2012–13.

Figure 3 Distribution of farms by estimated value of agricultural operations, Queensland Outback, 2012–13 70

% < $50k $50k to $150k $150k to $350k $350k to $500k $500k to $1 m > $1 m Share of farms Share of value of agricultural operations

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Farm financial performance—Queensland

Each year, ABARES interviews Australian broadacre, dairy and vegetable producers as part of its annual survey program. Broadacre industries covered in this survey include the grains, grains– livestock, sheep, beef and sheep–beef industries. The information collected is a basis for analysing the current financial position of farms in these industries and expected changes in the short term. This paper uses data from the ABARES Australian agricultural and grazing industries survey (AAGIS), Australian dairy industry survey (ADIS), and Australian vegetable growing industry survey to report estimates of financial performance indicators (Box 1) for broadacre, dairy and vegetable farms in Queensland.

Box 1 Definitions

Major financial performance indicators  Total cash receipts: total revenues received by the business during the financial year.  Total cash costs: payments made by the business for materials and services and for permanent and casual hired labour (excluding owner manager, partner and family labour).  Farm cash income: total cash receipts – total cash costs  Farm business profit: farm cash income + changes in trading stocks – depreciation – imputed labour costs  Profit at full equity: return produced by all the resources used in the business, farm business profit + rent + interest + finance lease payments – depreciation on leased items  Rate of return: return to all capital used, profit at full equity * 100 / total opening capital  Equity ratio: Farm capital minus farm debt expressed as a percentage of farm capital Industry types  Grains: farms mainly engaged in producing broadacre crops such as wheat, coarse grains, oilseeds and pulses, and including farms running sheep and/or beef cattle in conjunction with substantial broadacre crop activity.  Sheep: farms mainly engaged in running sheep.  Beef: farms mainly engaged in running beef cattle.  Dairy: farms mainly engaged in milk production.  Vegetable: farms mainly engaged in growing vegetables.

Performance of broadacre farms—Queensland Farm cash income for Queensland broadacre farms declined from an estimated average of $91 210 per farm in 2011–12 to an average of $89 700 per farm in 2012–13 (Table 2, Error: Reference source not found). The decline in average broadacre farm cash income was mainly a consequence of the onset of dry seasonal conditions resulting in reduced crop production, increased turn-off of beef cattle and high expenditure on fodder purchases. Total receipts from sale of beef cattle declined as a result of lower cattle prices, sheep and wool receipts were also lower while crop receipts increased due to large increases in grain prices, relative to prices 2011–12. Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Figure 4 Real farm cash income, broadacre industries, average per farm

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Receipts from beef cattle typically account for around 70 per cent of average total cash receipts for Queensland broadacre farms. In 2013–14, receipts from beef cattle are projected to decline slightly due to lower average prices received for cattle sold and despite a further increase in turnoff in most regions resulting from the continuation of drought conditions. In addition, production of both winter and summer crops declined in 2013–14 reducing crop receipts for Queensland broadacre farms by around 20 per cent on average.

Average total cash costs are projected to increase by around 6 per cent in 2013–14, mainly as a result of a projected increase of around 90 per cent in expenditure on fodder and despite a further decline in beef cattle purchase expenditure and lower expenditure on crop production expenses as the area planted to crops was reduced.

Table 2 Financial performance, Queensland broadacre industries, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm

Performance indicator units 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 2013–14y Total cash receipts $ 368 520 358 500 (4) 325 000 Total cash costs $ 277 310 268 800 (4) 285 000 Farm cash income $ 91 210 89 700 (12) 39 000 Farms with negative farm cash income % 30 33 (12) 33 Farm business profit $ 30 060 –4 900 (171) –77 000 Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 77 390 40 000 (21) –32 000 Farm capital at 30 June a $ 4 943 140 4 768 100 (3) na Farm debt at 30 June b $ 576 860 549 900 (8) 586 000 Equity ratio b % 88 88 (1) na Rate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 1.6 0.8 (21) -0.7 Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 29 740 23 800 (12) na Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Table 3 Farm cash income of Queensland broadacre farms, by region, 2012–13 to 2013–14, average per farm

Region units 2012–13p RSE 2013–14y 311: Cape York and the Gulf $ 84 800 (116) 55 000 312: West and South West $ 328 000 (34) 54 000 313: Central North $ 122 800 (47) –34 000 314: Charleville - Longreach $ 122 100 (29) 73 000 321: Eastern Darling Downs $ 65 700 (33) 15 000 322: Darling Downs and Central Highlands $ 115 900 (15) 45 000 331: South Queensland Coastal $ 17 000 (57) 50 000 332: North Queensland Coastal $ 18 100 (82) 49 000 Note: p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. Figures in parentheses are standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Farm cash income for broadacre farms in Queensland is projected to decline to average $39 000 per farm; this is the lowest average farm cash income recorded for Queensland broadacre farms in the 37 years the AAGIS survey has operated and around half the ten-year average to 2012–13.

Reductions in beef cattle numbers and in grain and fodder stocks are expected to result in a further decline in farm business profit, from a loss of $4 900 in 2012–13 to a loss of $77 000 in 2013–14.

Average farm cash incomes are projected to decline in all regions of Queensland in 2013– 14 except coastal regions. As cattle numbers reduce, business profit is also expected to be negative in all regions in 2013–14, except for Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria (Map 2).

Map 2 Australian broadacre zones and regions Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Performance of grains industry farms—Queensland Farm cash receipts increased, on average, for Queensland grains industry farms in 2012–13 as a result of higher grain prices and despite reduced production of summer and winter grain, oilseed and pulse crops. Average farm cash income for grains industry farms in Queensland increased to around $179 000 per farm in 2012–13, around double the industry average for the previous 10 years (Figure 5).

In 2013-14, production of both winter and summer crops is estimated to have declined by around one quarter and with only a small increase in grain prices total crop receipts are estimated to have declined by around 15 per cent on average. The reduction in crop receipts is expected to be only partly offset by reduced expenditure on fertiliser, fuel and grain marketing costs and labour costs due to the reduced area planted to crops and reductions in expenditure on repairs and maintenance compared with 2012–13. Farm cash income is projected to decline to average just $32 000 per farm, the lowest farm cash income since 2006–07 when drought also severely reduced incomes for Queensland grains industry farms.

In comparison, farm cash incomes for grains farms nationally are projected to increase to a near record in 2013-14, due mainly to very high grain production in South Australia and Western Australia.

Figure 5 Real farm cash income, grains industry, average per farm

Performance of beef industry farms—Queensland In 2012–13 drier seasonal conditions and high beef cattle numbers in northern Australia resulted in an increase in beef cattle turnoff in Queensland. Lower average sale prices for beef cattle more than offset the increase in turnoff to result in a decline in average beef cattle receipts for Queensland beef industry farms. Expenditure on the purchase of fodder more than doubled while expenditure on beef cattle purchases was sharply reduced. Farm cash income for Queensland beef industry farms declined to average $67 000 per farm in 2012–13 (Error: Reference source not found).

In 2013-14, expansion of drought conditions is projected to lead to a increase of around 10 per cent in the average number of cattle sold per farm by Queensland beef industry farms. The increase in turn-off is projected to be mostly offset by a reduction in the average sale price

11 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES received due largely to the sale of cattle in unfinished condition. The modest increase in farm receipts is projected to be more than offset by increased expenditure on fodder, fuel and freight costs, resulting in average farm cash income for beef industry farms declining to average $39 000 per farm, or around 50 per cent below the average for the previous 10 years, in real terms (Error: Reference source not found).

Figure 6 Real farm cash income, beef industry, average per farm

Reduction in beef cattle numbers resulting from increased cattle turnoff will reduce the value of cattle inventories on Queensland beef industry farms. As a consequence, farm business profit for Queensland beef industry farms is projected to decline to average - $73 000 per farm in 2013– 14.

Performance of dairy industry farms— Queensland In 2012–13, a reduction in average farmgate milk prices received of around 5 per cent, combined with a reduction in milk production, and an increase of around 8 per cent in total cash costs resulted in farm cash income for Queensland dairy farms declining to average $79 200 per farm.

In 2013–14, average farm cash incomes are projected to remain low for Queensland dairy farms, averaging around $80 000 per farm (Table 4, Error: Reference source not found) or around 22 per cent below the industry average for the previous 10 years. Milk production is estimated to have declined and total cash costs to have increased with milk prices for most farms remaining similar to or only slightly above 2013–14 prices. Overall, the proportion of dairy farms recording negative farm cash incomes is projected to increase from around 14 per cent in 2012-13 to around 33 per cent in 2013–14. Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Figure 7 Real farm cash income, dairy industry, average per farm

Table 4 Financial performance, Queensland dairy industry, 2011–12 to 2013–14, average per farm unit 2013– Performance indicator s 2011–12 2012–13p RSE 14y Total cash receipts $ 482 650 456 800 (4) 473 000 Total cash costs $ 375 890 377 600 (5) 393 000 Farm cash income $ 106 770 79 200 (19) 80 000 Farms with negative farm cash income % 11 14 (61) 33 Farm business profit $ 20 940 –8 500 (162) –2 000 Profit at full equity excluding capital appreciation $ 45 670 18 700 (65) 25 000 Farm capital at 30 June a $ 3 125 680 2 875 800 (5) na Farm debt at 30 June b $ 276 490 306 000 (17) 334 000 Equity ratio b % 91 89 (2) na Rate of return excluding capital appreciation c % 1.5 0.6 (67) 0.9 Off-farm income of owner manager and spouse b $ 7 510 17 100 (29) na Note: a Excludes leased plant and equipment. b Average per responding farm. c Rate of return to farm capital at 1 July. p ABARES preliminary estimates. y ABARES provisional estimates. na Not available. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate provided. Source: ABARES Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

Performance of vegetable industry farms—Queensland Nationally in 2013–14, average farm cash income is estimated to have declined to $156 000, 4 per cent lower than in 2012–13. Average to above average seasonal conditions helped growers to maintain the high yields of 2012–13. Overall vegetable production was also higher because the average area planted to vegetable crops increased. However, the resulting increase in vegetable cash receipts was partially offset by lower vegetable prices.

Average farm cash income in Queensland declined 8 per cent in 2012–13 to an average of $165 800 (Table 5), 11 per cent lower than the estimated average farm cash income (in real terms) over the eight years to 2012–13 (Figure 8). Changes in the total quantity of vegetables produced were mixed across vegetable types, with increased yields for some vegetables being

13 Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES offset by declines for other vegetables. Greenbeans, an important vegetable crop in Queensland, had much higher prices in 2012–13.

Average farm cash income is estimated to have declined in 2013–14 to $58 000 (Table 5), the lowest estimated farm cash income since ABARES began surveying vegetable growing farm businesses in the state (Figure 8). Crop yields were generally just below average and lower prices for the main vegetables grown in Queensland contributed to reduced average total cash receipts. Average total cash costs also increased as a result of increased expenditure on hired labour associated with planting and harvesting a larger vegetable crop.

Changes in the average area operated and total quantity of vegetables produced in Queensland (Table 5) mask the change in the mix of vegetables grown between 2012–13 and 2013–14. The average quantity produced of the main vegetables, particularly greenbeans and potatoes, declined. However, the average area planted to pumpkins, carrots, cauliflower and greenpeas increased.

Table 5 Physical and financial performance, vegetable growing farm businesses, Queensland, 2012–13 and 2013–14 average per farm Selected estimates units 2012–13 p RSE % Change 2013–14 y RSE % Change from 2011–12 from 2012–13 Vegetable cash receipts $ 705 000 (18 10 679 000 (22 –4 ) ) Area sown to vegetables ha 32.9 (18 –12 35.5 (34 8 ) ) Quantity of vegetables produced t 593 (16 –20 714 (27 20 ) ) Farm cash income $ 165 800 (30 –8 58 000 (94 –64 ) ) Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. RSE Relative standard errors, expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Updated data for vegetable farm businesses will be available November 2015. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

Figure 8 Real farm cash income, vegetable growing farm businesses, Queensland, 2005–06 to 2013–14 average per farm Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

2013–14 $’000 y 6 7 0 8 9 1 2 p

0 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 3 – – – – – – – 1 1 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 – – 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 2 2

Note: p Preliminary estimate. y Provisional estimate. Source: ABARES Australian vegetable growing farms survey

3) Fisheries sector

The coastal areas of this region include the Queensland coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the coastal areas of Cape York and the Torres Strait. This region is an important area for the wild harvest of prawns. The East Coast Trawl Fishery, which is the largest of Queensland’s commercial fisheries, operates in the region extending from the Cape York along the east coast south to the border with New South Wales. The fishery targets mostly prawns, but also harvests bugs, squid, scallops and other species. The main fishery in the Gulf of Carpentaria is the Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery, the most valuable single gear fishery managed by the Commonwealth ($94.8 million in 2010–11), which extends across Northern Australia. This fishery targets tiger and banana prawns in the Torres Strait, one of the most valuable commercial fisheries is the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, that targets mostly endeavour and tiger prawns. Karumba is a key fishing port in the region. Fisheries in the Torres Strait area are managed under the 1985 Torres Strait Treaty between Australian and Papua New Guinea. Marine resources are a staple in the diet of Torres Strait Islanders, as well as being central to traditional island culture and a primary source of income. In terms of commercial fisheries, the tropical rocklobster fishery is the most valuable ($28.3 million in 2010–11) and other fisheries include spanish mackerel, coral trout, barramundi, trochus and sea cucumber. The region is also important for pearl production, both farming and wild-catch (The Queensland East Coast Pearl Fishery and Torres Strait pearl shell fishery). In 2010–11, the far north area of Queensland — an area comprising both the Outback Queensland and Cairns regions — contributed $19.4 million of Queensland’s total value of aquaculture production ($86.3 million), accounting for 22 per cent of the total value of production (Wingfield 2012). The Far North area produced 2115 tonnes of aquaculture production accounting for 30 per cent of the volume of Queensland aquaculture production, utilising 238 hectares of ponds. The aquaculture industry in the area employed approximately 131 persons in 2010–11. Aquaculture species produced in the Far North area include barramundi, jade perch, prawns and pearls.

The outback region of Queensland is sparsely populated but has a high participation rate for recreational fishing amongst its residents at 23 per cent, significantly higher than the state average of 17 per cent (Taylor et al. 2012). The Murray-Darling Rivers catchment is the most heavily fished by residents of the outback region but also by Darling Downs and Brisbane residents. The western Queensland and Gulf Country rivers are also fished by residents. The Gulf Country is a popular destination for fishers living in other Queensland regions as well as fishing tourists from New South Wales and Victoria. In the freshwater rivers and dams the catch consists of mainly golden perch and yabbies. In the Gulf Country and Cape York, barramundi is the main species caught by fishers although most fish are released. Threadfin salmon, mud crab, catfish and sooty grunter are also common in the recreational catch from the Gulf Country. On the east coast of Cape York, bream, whiting, tropical snapper and coral trout are the dominant species in the recreational catch.

In 2011-12 the total gross value of Queensland’s fisheries production was $268 million, a decrease of 1 per cent ($2898) from 2010-11. Queensland contributed 12 per cent of the total value of Australian fisheries production in 2011-12. In value terms, the wild-catch sector accounted for 70 per cent ($185.5 million) of the state’s total production and the aquaculture sector accounted for the remaining 30 per cent ($82.5 million). Agriculture and Fisheries in the Outback region of Queensland, 2014 ABARES

Queensland’s wild-catch fisheries sector provides a range of fisheries products. The highest contribution being from prawns, which account for 32 per cent of the total value of wild-catch fisheries with a value of $60 million, followed by crabs (17 per cent; $32million) and coral trout (13per cent; $24million). Over the last decade the value of Queensland’s wild-caught fisheries products has reduced from $344 million (2000–01) to $186 million (2011–12; in 2011– 12 terms). Prawns and coral trout, showed the largest decline in the real value of production over the past decade, reducing by $51 million and $58 million respectively. A large proportion of prawns and coral trout is exported and the appreciation of the exchange rate since 2000–01 has had a significant effect on the value of exports of these products. Competition from imported prawns in the domestic market has also placed significant downward pressure on prices in recent years.

The value of Queensland’s aquaculture production has remained constant in 2011–12 at $82 million. Prawn and barramundi farming account for the largest share of production by value, with prawns accounting for 69 per cent, and $57 million of production, followed by barramundi (26 per cent; $22 million).

Commonwealth fisheries active in the waters off the east coast of Queensland include the Commonwealth Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery (mainly supplying export markets with tuna) and the Coral Sea Fishery. The final proposed Commonwealth Coral Sea Marine Reserves network released on 14 June 2012 is estimated to displace $4 million of gross value of production from these fisheries when the zoning comes into effect.

In 2011–12, Queensland’s fisheries product exports were valued at $143 million. The main export products include live and fresh, chilled or frozen fish, prawns and rocklobster. Hong Kong, Japan and the United States are the major destinations for Queensland fisheries exports, accounting for 53 per cent, 20 per cent and 7 per cent of the total value of exports in 2011–12, respectively. Other major export destinations include Vietnam (5 per cent) and China (4 per cent).

Recreational fishing is popular in Queensland, with approximately 700,000 Queenslanders going recreational fishing, crabbing or prawning in Queensland in the 12 months prior to July 2010 (QDAFF 2013). Total expenditure in the sector is estimated to be between $350 million and $420 million in 2008–09 (DEEDI 2009). The tropical waters of Queensland are also a key area for tourism, attracting anglers from around the world and Australia. Popular target species include crabs, prawns and a range of finfish species including cods and groupers, coral trout, redthroat emperor, rosy snapper, and mackerel. For freshwater activity some key species caught include barramundi, eels, silver perch, and yabby and blueclaw crayfish.

References

ABS 2011, Census of Population and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014a, Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2012–2013, cat. no. 7121.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014b, Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Aug 2014, cat. no. 6291.0.55.003, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

ABS 2014c, Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2012–13, cat. no. 7503.0, Australian Bureau Statistics, Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics-Bureau of Rural Sciences 2010, Land use of Australia 2005-06, Version 4, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.

DEEDI 2009, Prospects for Queensland’s primary industries 2009–10, Fisheries Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Brisbane, Queensland.

QDAFF (Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry) 2013, Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey 2010, Results from phase 1 – The Telephone Survey, Fisheries Queensland, accessed at http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/documents/Fisheries_RecreationalFishing/SWRFS-Phase-1- factsheet-May.pdf, February 2013.

Taylor, S, Webley, J & McInnes, K 2012, 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Brisbane, Queensland.

Wingfield M. 2012, Ross Lobegeiger Report to Farmers, Aquaculture production survey Queensland 2010–11, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, October.