Fishing for scallops is set to resume in parts of north Queensland for the first time in four years — but southern waters remain firmly off limits. The state government shut down the inshore scallop fishery back in 2021 fearing the stocks had collapsed nearly 90% but southern fishers say the closure has cost local communities millions, with scallops caught as by-catch still required to be dumped back overboard. 

New surveys show numbers have recovered enough to reopen waters between Townsville and Yeppoon from March — but the key southern grounds between Yeppoon and Hervey Bay have failed to meet the threshold for reopening. Queensland Seafood Industry Association’s CEO David Bobberman joins Burty to talk more about the re-opening.

Fishing for scallops is set to resume in parts of north Queensland for the first time in four years &mdash; but southern waters remain firmly off limits. The state government shut down the inshore scallop fishery back in 2021 fearing the stocks had collapsed nearly 90% but&nbsp;southern fishers say the closure has cost local communities millions, with scallops caught as by-catch still required to be dumped back overboard.&nbsp;
New surveys show numbers have recovered enough to reopen waters between Townsville and Yeppoon from March &mdash; but the key southern grounds between Yeppoon and Hervey Bay have failed to meet the threshold for reopening.&nbsp;Queensland Seafood Industry Association&rsquo;s CEO David Bobberman joins Burty to talk more about the re-opening.

Tune into Step Outside with Paul Burt every Saturday and Sunday from 6am-8am for all the information you need to make the most of your weekends in the Sunshine State.

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Tune into Step Outside with Paul Burt every Saturday and Sunday from 6am-8am for all the information you need to make the most of your weekends in the Sunshine State.