- Construction of a new fisheries patrol vessel to protect north Queensland fisheries sustainability underway.
- The 21m purpose-built vessel will provide greater enforcement capability for the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol over the coming decades.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering our commitments under Prosper 2050 Queensland Fishing and Seafood industry action plan, as part of our ambitious goal to increase the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering stronger compliance and enforcement in north Queensland waters, and protecting Queensland’s fisheries for future generations, by investing in a new purpose-built fisheries patrol vessel.
Construction of an $11 million, 21 metre vessel and 5.4 metre tender vessel is underway to enhance services provided by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol along Queensland’s northern coastline and the Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria.
Once complete, the new vessel will provide the ability for extended offshore patrols, focused on fisheries surveillance and inspections, ensuring compliance with fisheries and marine safety rules and regulations.
It’s just one of the targeted actions by the Crisafulli Government under Prosper 2050 to stop illegal fishing and strengthen community confidence in sustainable fisheries management.
This significant investment in fisheries operations is part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to deliver better services through a stronger economy and increase the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030, which is in stark contrast to Labor’s decade of decline, where research into fisheries was set to be cut completely.
Importantly, the Crisafulli Government’s first budget delivered $13 million to retain important scientific capability within the department, and importantly, 38 public servants kept their jobs.
Brisbane-based boat builder Norman R. Wright & Sons will construct the vessel with fit for purpose navigation and communications technology, improved stability and manoeuvrability, a longer fuel range and enhanced onboard accommodation to support patrols of up to 10 days.
The investment is part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to support ongoing operations, fleet enhancements and vessel replacements, ensuring fisheries officers have the resources they need to do their important jobs, and protect one of Queensland’s most important industries.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the investment would strengthen Queensland’s ability to protect fisheries, resources and marine environments.
“Queensland’s fisheries support regional communities, recreational fishers, commercial operators and tourism businesses, and protecting those resources requires a strong compliance presence on the water,” Minister Perrett said.
“This new vessel will provide Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers with the capability to undertake longer offshore patrols, respond to compliance issues and support multi-agency enforcement activities across some of Queensland’s most important and remote marine environments.
“I’m also incredibly pleased that the contract for this vessel’s construction has been awarded to a 115-year-old Queensland family business, extending the impact of the project beyond fisheries and into our local manufacturing industry and jobs.”
Member for Cook David Kempton said recent incursions of brazen and illegal foreign fishing vessels and crew have highlighted why this investment matters to the community.
“The waters off Cape York, the Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria are vast, remote and challenging, but this investment will deliver better protections for far north Queensland coastal and island communities,” Mr Kempton said.
“For people in the north, our waterways are part of everyday life, they support livelihoods, put food on the table and connect communities so protecting these fisheries for future generations matters.
“To have a vessel that’s purpose built for northern conditions, will make a tremendous difference to the officers patrolling and the community they serve, and I look forward to seeing it on the water,” he said.
