Although this is a major change, there is an even greater contributing factor to the increasing rate of over fishing of Coral Trout within the Great Barrier Reef (Farrah, person, 2003).
The increase in the demand for Coral Trout overseas has developed as this species has been labeled a delicacy by countries within which the Coral Trout is rare (Farrah, Person, 2003). Although the fishing boats receive $60/Kg for Coral Trout, this is meager when one considers that within Hong Kong, patrons will pay $130/Kg for Coral Trout, keeping in mind that one-kilogram of Coral Trout is roughly the equivalent to a 38cm fish. Although 38cm is the minimal sized catch for a Coral Trout, the depletion of stocks is still occurring and this practice is legal fishing as followed by the legislations in place by the Queensland Government.
There are legislations in place to help protect the breeding of Coral Trout. The legislation states that commercial fishing boats are not allowed to keep Coral Trout that are less than 38cm in length, assisting in the replenishing of stocks in Northern Queensland. This size allows a 38cm Coral Trout to reproduce at least two times before being fished (Farrah, Person, 2003). Coral Trout first mature as females then change to males later in life, therefore, if the species are taken too young, there is a decline in the number males within the species, putting a strain on the breeding efficiency of the Coral Trout (DPI, 2002). Another factor effecting the efficiency of breeding involves some fish not breeding until they are 48cm, therefore, some of the fish being taken at 38 cm have not yet had the chance to breed before they are fished (Farrah, Person, 2003). .
Despite the fact that there are legislations in place to assist in the prevent of over fishing within the Australian fishing zone, it is hard to inforce the legislation with the zone being so vast and a limited number of boats and staff to monitor the area.
