Climate change vulnerability assessment: Queensland marine aquarium supply industry, 2010

Abstract

The marine aquarium supply sector comprises less than 30 businesses and operates within two hand collection fisheries adjacent to the east coast of Queensland. Much of the fishery activity occurs within the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Two of the operators hold additional permits to work in the Coral Sea Fishery, which is seaward of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the extent of Australia‟s Exclusive Economic Zone. The sector collects a vast array of colourful tropical and subtropical fish species, corals and invertebrates to supply Australian domestic retail aquarium outlets and international wholesalers that ultimately provide the specimens to home hobbyists. The fisheries are low volume, high value fisheries that have a high degree of reliance on coral reefs.