Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water
Expressions of interest for grant funding are now available for Queensland fishers through the East Coast Otter Trawl Hopper Program.
The program is being run by The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
It aims to:
- support the uptake of hoppers in Queensland’s East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery
- assess the effectiveness of hopper systems installed on prawn trawl vessels
- enhance the sustainability of prawn trawl operations in Queensland
- safeguard the Great Barrier Reef by promoting responsible fishing practices
Fishers operating in Queensland’s East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery can apply.
Funding is available for up to 50% of the purchase and installation costs for hopper systems.
The program is funded through the Reef Trust. It is part of the Australian Government’s $1.2 billion Reef Protection Package.
Applications close at 5 pm (AEST) on Friday 21 November 2025.
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